Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India
India: Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes was 37.89 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
37.89 million
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
2nd
of 214 countries
All-time high
44.06 million
in 2017
All-time low
357,749
in 1971
Years of data
33
1971–2025
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India, 1971–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2025, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India stood at 37.89 million.
That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and down 14.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India peaked at 44.06 million in 2017 and was at its lowest, 357,749, in 1971.
That places India 2nd out of 214 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 357,749 | — |
| 1972 | 414,769 | +15.9% |
| 1973 | 458,636 | +10.6% |
| 1975 | 521,456 | +13.7% |
| 1976 | 569,296 | +9.2% |
| 1977 | 671,420 | +17.9% |
| 1978 | 690,352 | +2.8% |
| 1981 | 918,238 | +33.0% |
| 1982 | 836,484 | -8.9% |
| 1983 | 1.02 million | +22.1% |
| 1984 | 979,915 | -4.0% |
| 1985 | 1.03 million | +5.4% |
| 1986 | 1.24 million | +19.6% |
| 1987 | 1.27 million | +2.9% |
| 1988 | 1.42 million | +11.7% |
| 1989 | 1.44 million | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 1.35 million | -6.0% |
| 1991 | 1.51 million | +11.6% |
| 1992 | 1.44 million | -4.9% |
| 1993 | 1.46 million | +1.9% |
| 1994 | 1.94 million | +32.6% |
| 1995 | 2.12 million | +9.0% |
| 1996 | 2.14 million | +1.1% |
| 1997 | 2.38 million | +11.4% |
| 2017 | 44.06 million | +1749.3% |
| 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
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 526,240 | 357,749 | 690,352 | 7 |
| 1980s | 1.13 million | 836,484 | 1.44 million | 9 |
| 1990s | 1.79 million | 1.35 million | 2.38 million | 8 |
| 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
More education data for India
- Theoretical duration of pre-primary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (pre-primary to post-secondary non) 0.0494 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of lower secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of upper secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of secondary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), gaps filled 2,023 tertiary education (2024)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth 0.0495 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 5.19 million (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre-primary education 3 years (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India?
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in India was 37.89 million in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 44.06 million in 2017.
- What is the lowest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 357,749 in 1971.
- How does India rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes?
- India ranks 2nd out of 214 countries with data for 2025.
- Is enrolment in pre-primary 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 volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 33 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release