China vs Japan: Compulsory education, duration

China

9 years

in 2025

Japan

9 years

in 2025

China rank

115th

Japan rank

115th

Compulsory education, duration over time

China currently reports 9 years against 9 years in Japan, a difference of 0 years.

Across all 28 years both countries report, Japan has been ahead every year.

Globally, China ranks 115th and Japan ranks 115th of 197 countries.

Indicator: Compulsory education, duration (years)
Unit: years
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 243 places, 6,506 data points, 1975–2025
Last refreshed: 06 August 2026

Duration of compulsory education is the number of years that children are legally obliged to attend school.