Public school enrollment has declined in most populous U.S. cities but spending increased: Report

Public school enrollment in the U.S. has declined over the last 10 years while spending per pupil has increased, according to a new report from the Manhattan Institute released on Thursday. 

Nationwide enrollment decreased by 2% from 49.9 million to 48.8 million over a 10-year period between 2013 and 2023, the new report revealed. 

"The largest declines occurred in New York, Illinois, and California—the states with the biggest cities in the country," read a press release on the report's findings.

The Manhattan Institute found that enrollment declines haven't led to school districts reducing staff or school budgets, particularly in the most populous cities.

"Instead, school spending has increased on a per-student basis in many districts," said the institute.