Address
Unité française d'Eurydice
Ministère de l'Éducation
nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche
Direction de l’évaluation, de la prospective et de la
performance (DEPP)
Mission aux relations européennes et
internationales (MIREI)
61-65, rue Dutot
FR-75732 Paris Cedex 15
Tel: +33 1 55 55 67 63
E-Mail: depp.mirei@education.gouv.fr
Website
http://www.education.gouv.fr
https://www.education.gouv.fr/eurydice-reseau-europeen-sur-les-systemes-educatifs-3182
This section provides the most recent available data on the number of educational institutions from pre-elementary to upper secondary education (CITE levels 0 to 3). Statistics on the number and characteristics of higher education institutions are available in the European Register of Higher Education. A general overview of categories of institutions providing state-subsidised adult education and training can be found in the chapter on adult education and training. The notes below the tables provide methodological explanations necessary for a proper interpretation of the data.
Statistics on institutions providing ordinary pre-elementary, primary, and secondary education
| Type of educational institutions | ISCED level | Orientation of the programmes offered | Number of educational establishments in 2024 | |||
| Total | Public | Private under contract | Independent private | |||
| Pre-primary school | 02 | (-) | 12 379 | 12 343 | 36 | : |
| Primary school (1) | 1 | (-) | 35979 | 30 468 | 4566 | 945 |
| Secondary school | 2 | G | 7 388 | 5 325 | 1 661 | 402 |
| General and technological secondary school | 3 | G | 2 1544 | 880 | 664 | : |
| Vocational secondary school | 3 | P | 1095 | 763 | 332 | : |
| Comprehensive secondary school | 3 | P, G | 979 | 765 | 214 | : |
| Apprentice Training Centre (CFA) | 3 | P | 2388 | 2229 | 159 | (-) |
Source: DEPP, Statistical benchmarks and references 2025, sheets 1.09, 2.01, 2.04 and 6.09 (last accessed on 22 January 2026).
Notes: CITE = International Standard Classification of Education (see UNESCO/OECD/Eurostat Manual on Concepts, Definitions and Classification).
G = General; P = Professional; (:) = Data not available; (-) = Not applicable.
Field:
Private primary schools include elementary schools. The number of private secondary schools not under contract (schools under the national education system) will no longer be available from 2022 onwards.
The available data does not allow for a distinction to be made between apprentice training centres based on public or private governance.
ISCED level 4 education is not presented here because it does not constitute institutions as such in France. These courses can be taken remotely or face-to-face and are organised by higher education institutions. Furthermore, ISCED level 4 education in France is marginal in terms of student population.
The data presented on this page are counted according to the "legal entity approach"
| Type of educational institutions | ISCED level of institutions | Orientation of the programmes offered | Number of educational establishments in 2024 | |||
| Total | Public | Private under contract | Independent private | |||
| Regional special education establishments (EREA) |
2, 3 |
G,P |
77 |
76 |
1 |
(-) |
Source: DEPP, Statistical benchmarks and references 2025, sheet 2.04 (last accessed on 7 January 2026).
READ = International Standard Classification of Education
G = General P = Professional (:) Data not available (-) Not applicable
Terminology:
The 2018 version of the UNESCO/OECD/Eurostat Manual on Concepts, Definitions and Classification can be consulted for definitions of mainstream education (p.10); general and vocational education programmes (p. 19); as well as public institutions, private institutions under contract with the State and independent private institutions (pp. 24-26).
Field:
Regional special education institution still provide general and vocational education. Data are not available for independent private EREAs. The data presented on this page are counted according to the "legal entity approach".