Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) (pre-primary) in Kenya
Kenya: Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) (pre-primary) was 2.89 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in Kenya, 1983–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in Kenya is 2.89 million, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 20.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in Kenya peaked at 3.20 million in 2016 and was at its lowest, 537,878, in 1983.
Kenya ranks 12th of 214 countries on this measure, 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 (number) (pre-primary) in Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 537,878 | — |
| 1985 | 582,505 | +8.3% |
| 1986 | 657,688 | +12.9% |
| 1987 | 660,973 | +0.5% |
| 1989 | 801,368 | +21.2% |
| 1990 | 850,000 | +6.1% |
| 1991 | 908,966 | +6.9% |
| 1992 | 931,826 | +2.5% |
| 1993 | 924,094 | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 951,997 | +3.0% |
| 1995 | 988,800 | +3.9% |
| 1996 | 1.03 million | +4.5% |
| 1997 | 1.06 million | +3.0% |
| 1998 | 1.08 million | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 1.19 million | +10.3% |
| 2000 | 1.22 million | +3.1% |
| 2001 | 1.25 million | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 1.43 million | +14.7% |
| 2003 | 1.59 million | +11.1% |
| 2004 | 1.63 million | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 1.64 million | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 1.67 million | +1.8% |
| 2007 | 1.69 million | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 1.72 million | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 1.91 million | +11.3% |
| 2012 | 2.41 million | +25.7% |
| 2014 | 3.02 million | +25.5% |
| 2015 | 3.17 million | +4.9% |
| 2016 | 3.20 million | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 2.74 million | -14.4% |
| 2020 | 2.83 million | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 2.85 million | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 2.83 million | -0.5% |
| 2023 | 2.89 million | +2.0% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 2.89 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 263,618, 10.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 2.89 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 178,431, 16.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) (pre-primary) in Kenya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +25.7% | 1.91 million | 2.41 million |
| 2014 | +25.5% | 2.41 million | 3.02 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 648,082 | 537,878 | 801,368 | 5 |
| 1990s | 991,762 | 850,000 | 1.19 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.58 million | 1.22 million | 1.91 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.91 million | 2.41 million | 3.20 million | 5 |
| 2020s | 2.85 million | 2.83 million | 2.89 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More education data for Kenya
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 168,396 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 235,728 (2016)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.44 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.44 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.74 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 8.04 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.7181 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1453 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in Kenya?
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in Kenya was 2.89 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 3.20 million in 2016.
- What is the lowest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 537,878 in 1983.
- How does Kenya rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes?
- Kenya ranks 12th out of 214 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release