School healthy living survey: school meal uptake statistics 2024

Figure 1: Uptake of free school meals continued to increase in primary and secondary schools between 2023 and 2024 but decreased in special schools

Percentage of pupils registered for free school meals and who were present on survey day taking free school meals, Scotland, 2018 to 2024

The percentage of pupils registered for free school meals and present on the survey day who took a free school meal (the meal uptake rate) increased for a second consecutive year in primary and secondary schools from 2023 to 2024, although neither sector reached their pre-pandemic level. The largest increase was in secondary schools (60.6% to 62.7%), with a smaller increase in primary (71.6% to 72.1%). Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic there was a long-term general decline in uptake of free school meals in primary and secondary schools. In 2022 there was a pronounced decrease in all sectors, likely reflecting changes in habits as a result of the pandemic but the increases in primary and and secondary over the most recent year continues the reversal of this decline since 2023. However, the uptake rate in special schools decreased from 83.6% in 2023 to 78.0% in 2024, the second-lowest uptake of free meals for this sector on record (see supplementary tables).

The overall uptake rate for free school meals across all sectors was 71.0% in 2024, up from 70.4% in 2023 but down from the series peak of 85.0% in 2014 (see supplementary tables for full time series data).

Figure 2: Uptake of free school meals increased more strongly in the primary stages receiving means-tested free school meals than those receiving universal provision between 2023 and 2024

Percentage of primary pupils registered for free school meals and who were present on survey day taking free school meals, Scotland, 2018 to 2024

In 2015, universal entitlement to free school meals was introduced for pupils in P1-P3. This universal entitlement was extended to all pupils in P4 in August 2021 and then to all pupils in P5 in January 2022.

The free school meal uptake rate for pupils in the universal entitlement stages (P1-P5 from January 2022) increased very slightly between 2023 and 2024, from 72.1% to 72.4%, despite a small decrease in the total number of meals taken (see Figure 6a) in line with the reduction of primary pupil numbers.

The uptake rate for those in means-tested stages (P6-P7 from January 2022) increased to a greater degree (66.7% to 69.3%). As in 2022 and 2023, the uptake rate for universal entitlement stages was higher than the uptake rate for means-tested stages. This is in contrast to the pre-pandemic years where the means-tested stages had a higher uptake rate. The reason for this likely to be linked, at least in part, to the extension of universal entitlement over this period.

Figure 3: Uptake of school meals (free and paid for) increased from 2023 to 2024 in all primary and secondary schools but decreased in special schools

Percentage of pupils present on survey day taking school meals (free and paid for), Scotland, 2018 to 2024

The uptake rate for all school meals (both free and paid for) increased in primary and secondary schools from 2023 to 2024 but decreased in special schools (note that all pupils at special schools are entitled to free school meals by the time of the 2024 survey). The largest increase was in secondary schools (39.0% to 42.1%), with a smaller increase in primary (63.1% to 63.9%). The uptake rate in primary schools continues to exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Figure 4: Uptake of school meals is highest among pupils with universal entitlement to free meals (P1-P5 and Special Schools) compared to where free meal provision is means-tested (P6-P7 and Secondary Schools)

Percentage of pupils present on survey day taking school meals, Scotland, February 2024

Uptake for all school meals (free and paid for) is highest among pupils with universal entitlement to free school meals (P1-P5 72.4%; Special schools 78.0%) and lowest among pupils where access to free meals is means-tested (P6-P7 43.7%; Secondary schools 42.1%).

Figure 5a: The number of free school meals taken in 2024 decreased slightly to its second-highest level but the total number of meals (free and paid for) taken increased, continuing the reversal of the long-term decline

Number of pupils taking school meals (free and all meals) on survey day by sector, Scotland, 2018 to 2024

Figure 5b: Uptake rate of school meals (free and paid for) increased in primary and secondary sectors from 2023 to 2024 but decreased in special schools

Percentage of pupils present on survey day taking school meals (free and all meals), Scotland, 2018 to 2024

Figure 6a: The number of free school meals taken by primary school pupils was the second-highest on record with an increase in means-tested meals being offset by a larger decrease in universal free meals in 2024, likely related to a drop in primary pupil numbers. The total number of all meals (free and paid for) taken also decreased slightly

Primary pupils taking school meals (free and all meals) by universal or means-tested free school meal provision stages [note 1], 2018 to 2024

Note 1: In 2015 universal entitlement to free school meals was introduced for pupils in P1-P3. This universal entitlement was extended to all pupils in P4 in August 2021 and then to all pupils in P5 in January 2022

Figure 6b: Uptake rates of free and paid for meals among primary pupils increased from 2023 to 2024 but more strongly among means-tested stages than universal provision stages

Percentage of primary pupils present on survey day taking school meals (free or paid for) by universal or means-tested free school meal provision stages [note 1], Scotland, 2018 to 2024

Note 1: In 2015 universal entitlement to free school meals was introduced for pupils in P1 to P3. This universal entitlement was extended to all pupils in P4 in August 2021 and then to all pupils in P5 in January 2022.