Record School Absenteeism Surge in UK and US

In the United Kingdom, data from the Department for Education released in spring 2025 show a record 160,000 pupils severely absent – a 167 % rise since 2019 – and 1.4 million children still persistently absent, a level 56 % higher than pre‑pandemic norms. The Centre for Social Justice warns that the trend could add 180,000 long‑term out‑of‑work school leavers at a lifetime cost of £14 billion, and calls for mandatory attendance courses for families and tougher penalties.

In the United States, chronic absenteeism is most acute among kindergarteners. Nationally kindergarten records the poorest attendance, and in Colorado 29 % of kindergarten students were classified as chronically absent in the 2024‑25 school year, higher than the 24 % rate across all elementary grades. Targeted interventions at schools such as Namaqua Elementary and Cottonwood Plains Elementary have cut chronic absenteeism rates dramatically, using relationship‑building, resource rooms and supportive communication to remove practical barriers and encourage regular attendance.