Bengaluru’s private school dropout rate at 9-16%, higher than Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai: Report

In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai the dropout rates are below 5 per cent, says the report titled ‘Bengaluru Rising’.

In 2012, nearly half of students in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts left school after Class X. While this figure has improved, with current dropout rates in 2022 stood between 9 per cent and 16 per cent, the study said.

The report also stated though gender disparities are narrowing, with 95.1 girls enrolled for every 100 boys, Bengaluru still lags behind Chennai and Kolkata. Representation of marginalised communities in higher education also needs improvement, as only about half of enrolled students belong to SC/ST/OBC categories, the report revealed.

Bengaluru Rising is a synthesis of diverse data, including government and regulatory sources, digital platforms, global datasets, and even satellite imagery. With over 170 charts, the report is both in-depth and accessible, blending rigorous analysis with insights relevant to policymakers, innovators, and citizens.

The report, which has been compiled by data analytics and business intelligence firm, How India Lives, assesses how Bengaluru stacks up against six other leading Indian cities on 5 key data prisms—economic, consumer, demographic, liveability and tech.

According to the report, Bengaluru leads Indian metros in private school enrolment, with 79 per cent of students attending private institutions. This is driven by significant investment in private education, which accounts for 56 per cent of the city’s schools — a sharp increase from 47 per cent a decade ago. The city also boasts the highest share of residential schools (11.6 per cent) among major metros, emphasizing quality education options for families.

Higher education is another stronghold, with Bengaluru hosting 1,262 colleges, the majority established after 2000. Of these, 84 per cent are privately managed, underscoring the city’s reputation as a hub for private academic institutions. However, while Bengaluru’s private education infrastructure excels, the affordability gap remains a concern for many families.

However, Bengaluru, India’s technology and startup capital, continues to assert its position as a leading economic engine, according to the survey findings.

Impressive strides in employment, infra

The report sheds light on the city’s impressive strides in employment, entrepreneurship, and consumer behaviour, while also identifying infrastructure and governance gaps.

Between 2014 and 2023, Bengaluru added approximately 80 million sqft of Grade A office space, resulting in nearly 8 lakh new high-paying jobs. This growth surpasses other major cities, affirming Bengaluru’s dominance in India’s services sector.

Bengaluru leads in Grade A mall space addition, with 4.25 million sq. ft. developed from 2019 to 2023—more than Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune combined. This signifies robust consumer activity driven by a rising professional class.

The city ranks first in several digital adoption metrics, including food delivery on platforms like Eatfit, second-hand car purchases on Spinny, and PhonePe transactions.

Bengaluru has shown rapid growth in air passenger traffic, nearly surpassing Mumbai in domestic volumes. Additionally, it leads Indian cities in Airbnb property listings, underlining its appeal for global professionals and tourists.

Despite its growth, the survey highlights critical shortcomings. The report stated that Bengaluru’s traffic congestion remains a major deterrent, compounded by slow-paced Metro and road expansion projects.

While property prices have risen moderately, Bengaluru’s average housing loan size of ₹31.6 lakh is the highest among Indian cities, reflecting rising cost pressures on residents. Unlike global cities with empowered municipal governance, Bengaluru faces fragmented administrative oversight, slowing urban development, the report stated.

Prashanth Prakash, chairman, UnboxingBLRFoundation, said that in the digital era, data is a powerful tool to bridge the gap between perception and reality. “Bengaluru, our vibrant tech and startup hub, has experienced rapid, multi-layered growth—but outdated or patchy data often clouds decision-making. Bengaluru Rising was born from a desire to change this. By harnessing real-time insights, we aim to illuminate trends, inform policy, and spark healthy competition among India’s top cities. Ultimately, this is about building a better, more data-driven future for Bengaluru and beyond,” Prakash said.

UnboxingBLR Foundation said that the annual data report offers a nuanced, data-driven lens to understand the city’s evolution and challenges. “By tapping into innovative data sources and uncovering fascinating insights, Bengaluru Rising bridges the gap between perception and reality. It’s not just a tool for policymakers but a guide for anyone invested in India’s urban future,” noted Malini Goyal, CEO, UnboxingBLR Foundation.