Gross primary graduation ratio

Definition

Total number of graduates from the last grade of primary education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population at the theoretical graduation age for primary.

Calculation method

Divide the number of primary graduates, irrespective of age, by the population of theoretical primary graduation, and multiply the result by 100.

Data required

Number of graduates in the last grade of primary education; population of the theoretical graduation age in the last grade of primary.

Data source

School register, school survey or census for data on graduates; population census or estimates for population of the theoretical graduation-age in the last grade of primary.

Interpretation

A high ratio indicates a high degree of current primary education outputs.

Limitations

As this calculation includes all graduates (regardless of age), the ratio can exceed 100%, due to over-aged and under-aged children who enter primary school for the first time early/late or/and repeat a grade. In some countries, the results of graduation might be driven by the availability of places in secondary education, so care should be taken in making comparisons.

Purpose

To indicate the general level of primary education graduation. This proxy measure of primary completion reports the current primary outputs stemming from previous years of schooling and past education policies on entrance to primary education. It also indicates the capacity of the education system to provide primary graduation for the theoretical graduation age population.

Quality standards

Data on population used in deriving this indicator should refer strictly to the theoretical graduation age in the last grade of primary.

Types of disaggregation

By sex.