Overview
- The education ministry’s May 2024 survey found 8,432 foreign children of elementary or junior-high age were not or may not have been in school, down 169 from the prior year.
- Within that total, 1,097 were confirmed not enrolled, up from 970 in 2023.
- The population of foreign children in these age groups rose by 12,663 to 163,358, the highest since nationwide tracking began in 2019.
- All 1,741 municipalities were surveyed, and 74.0% had at least one foreign-registered child, reflecting broader dispersion across the country.
- Authorities reported 7,322 children whose status could not be confirmed and 13 not identifiable in records, and they cited calls, home visits, and admission guides to improve attendance.