Madeira recorded 36,286 students enrolled in pre-school, basic, and secondary education for the 2025/2026 academic year, a decrease of 817 students compared to the previous year. This figure represents a 2.2% reduction and is the lowest since the statistical series began in 1999/2000, according to preliminary data from the Regional Statistics Directorate of Madeira (DREM).
The decline affected almost all educational levels, with the exception of the 2nd cycle of basic education, which saw a 4% increase. Basic education as a whole registered 361 fewer enrollments (-1.7%), the 1st cycle had 146 fewer students (-1.5%), the 3rd cycle lost 385 students (-4.9%), and pre-school education saw a decrease of 131 children (-2.1%). Secondary education lost 325 students (-3.5%).
The teaching staff also decreased by 1.2%, with 70 fewer teachers, bringing the total to 5,636. Conversely, non-teaching staff increased by 1.6%, reaching 3,931 workers. The number of non-higher education establishments was reduced to 135, one less than the previous year.
