Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) (pre-primary) in South Korea
South Korea: Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) (pre-primary) was 846,694 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in South Korea, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in South Korea stood at 846,694.
That represents a change of down 7.8% on the previous year and down 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in South Korea peaked at 1.32 million in 2016 and was at its lowest, 22,207, in 1972.
That places South Korea 39th out of 214 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 22,271 | — |
| 1972 | 22,207 | -0.3% |
| 1973 | 22,466 | +1.2% |
| 1974 | 25,339 | +12.8% |
| 1975 | 27,774 | +9.6% |
| 1976 | 32,032 | +15.3% |
| 1977 | 37,197 | +16.1% |
| 1978 | 41,866 | +12.6% |
| 1979 | 47,571 | +13.6% |
| 1980 | 57,430 | +20.7% |
| 1981 | 66,433 | +15.7% |
| 1982 | 153,823 | +131.5% |
| 1983 | 168,653 | +9.6% |
| 1984 | 206,404 | +22.4% |
| 1985 | 254,438 | +23.3% |
| 1986 | 314,692 | +23.7% |
| 1987 | 354,537 | +12.7% |
| 1988 | 397,020 | +12.0% |
| 1989 | 405,255 | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 410,824 | +1.4% |
| 1991 | 414,532 | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 425,535 | +2.7% |
| 1993 | 450,882 | +6.0% |
| 1994 | 470,271 | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 511,043 | +8.7% |
| 1996 | 530,245 | +3.8% |
| 2010 | 1.13 million | +112.3% |
| 2011 | 1.17 million | +4.3% |
| 2012 | 1.23 million | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 1.28 million | +3.4% |
| 2014 | 1.27 million | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 1.28 million | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 1.32 million | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 1.29 million | -1.9% |
| 2018 | 1.26 million | -2.4% |
| 2019 | 1.21 million | -3.7% |
| 2020 | 1.17 million | -3.2% |
| 2021 | 1.11 million | -5.5% |
| 2022 | 1.01 million | -9.4% |
| 2023 | 918,123 | -8.7% |
| 2024 | 846,694 | -7.8% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 846,694 is above the median for high income countries, which is 96,852, 8.7× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 846,694 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 36,952, 22.9× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) (pre-primary) in South Korea 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | +131.5% | 66,433 | 153,823 |
| 2010 | +112.3% | 530,245 | 1.13 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 30,969 | 22,207 | 47,571 | 9 |
| 1980s | 237,868 | 57,430 | 405,255 | 10 |
| 1990s | 459,047 | 410,824 | 530,245 | 7 |
| 2010s | 1.24 million | 1.13 million | 1.32 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.01 million | 846,694 | 1.17 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 36 Kazakhstan 981,805 compare
- 37 Malaysia 936,008 compare
- 38 Morocco 913,017 compare
- 40 Democratic Republic of Congo 837,832 compare
- 41 Angola 824,628 compare
- 42 South Africa 818,404 compare
More education data for South Korea
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 233,046 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 76 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 434,627 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 412,067 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.66 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.51 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -4.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0484 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in South Korea?
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in South Korea was 846,694 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1.32 million in 2016.
- What is the lowest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 22,207 in 1972.
- How does South Korea rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes?
- South Korea ranks 39th out of 214 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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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CSV · JSON — 41 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release