Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India

India: Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes was 37.89 million in 2025. ▼ Falling

Latest (2025)
37.89 million
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
2nd
of 180 countries
All-time high
44.06 million
in 2017
All-time low
27.63 million
in 2022
Years of data
9
2017–2025

Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India, 2017–2025

010.0M20.0M30.0M40.0M2017202120252017: 44.1M2018: 43.2M2019: 43.9M2020: 42.4M2021: 35.7M2022: 27.6M2023: 34.7M2024: 37.8M2025: 37.9M

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2025, enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India stood at 37.89 million.

The figure is up 0.3% on the previous year and down 14.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India peaked at 44.06 million in 2017 and was at its lowest, 27.63 million, in 2022.

India ranks 2nd of 180 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes (number) in India, 2017 to 2025.
Year Value Change
2017 44.06 million
2018 43.23 million -1.9%
2019 43.90 million +1.5%
2020 42.40 million -3.4%
2021 35.68 million -15.9%
2022 27.63 million -22.6%
2023 34.67 million +25.5%
2024 37.79 million +9.0%
2025 37.89 million +0.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 43.73 million 43.23 million 44.06 million 3
2020s 36.01 million 27.63 million 42.40 million 6

Countries ranked near India

  1. 1 China 40.93 million compare
  2. 3 Pakistan 9.95 million compare
  3. 4 Brazil 9.49 million compare
  4. 5 Indonesia 8.35 million compare

See the full ranking of 180 places →

More education data for India

All data for India →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India?
Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India was 37.89 million in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes recorded in India?
The highest recorded value was 44.06 million in 2017.
What is the lowest enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes recorded in India?
The lowest recorded value was 27.63 million in 2022.
How does India rank for enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes?
India ranks 2nd out of 180 countries with data for 2025.
Is enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes rising or falling in India?
Over the last ten years it is down 14.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this India data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in India. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-early-childhood-education-both-sexes-number-2/india/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
180 places, 2,994 data points, 1997–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release