School starting ages by country
Most countries require school from age 5–7, but the cut-off date (usually by September 1 or the school year start) decides the exact class. “Compulsory” means parents must enroll — homeschooling rules differ per country.
| Country | Compulsory from | Typical range | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| England (UK) | 5 | 5–16 (to 18 in training) | Sept 1 (turn 5 by then) |
| United States | 5–6 (by state) | 5/6–16–18 (by state) | Varies (Aug/Sep 1) |
| Germany | 6 | 6–15 ( schooling to 18) | Sept 30 / state rules |
| France | 3 | 3–16 | Dec 31 of the year |
| Japan | 6 | 6–15 | April 1 |
| South Korea | 6 | 6–15 | March 1 |
| China | 6 | 6–15 | Aug 31 |
| Taiwan | 6 | 6–15 | Sept 1 |
| Australia | 5–6 (by state) | 5/6–16 | State rules (Apr/Jul) |
| Canada | 5–6 (by province) | 5/6–16–18 | Province rules |
| Finland | 7 | 7–16 | Year of birth |
| Sweden | 6 (preschool class) | 6–16 | Year of birth |
| India | 6 | 6–14 (RTE right) | Varies by state |
| Singapore | 6 | 6–15 | Jan 1 |
| Netherlands | 5 | 5–16 (from 4 in practice) | School year start |
Notes
- “Compulsory age” often differs from when most children actually start preschool or kindergarten.
- England requires education 5–16, but participation in education or training until 18.
- US cut-offs vary by state and even district — a child born in August may be the youngest in class.
Frequently asked questions
- What age does school start around the world?
- Usually 5–7. England starts at 5, most of Europe at 6, Finland and Sweden at 6–7, and parts of Canada/Australia at 5–6 depending on the province/state.
- How do school cut-off dates work?
- Children must reach the starting age by a set date — Sept 1 in much of Europe/US, April 1 in Japan, Aug 31 in China. Born one day late usually means starting a year later.
- Can children start school early?
- Some systems allow early entry on testing or parental request (e.g. parts of Germany, some US districts); others are strict about the cut-off.