Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in MDG: Southern Asia

MDG: Southern Asia: Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes was 54.48 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
54.48 million
Change on year
up 7.6%
Rank
32nd
of 221 groups
All-time high
59.04 million
in 2019
All-time low
2.75 million
in 1971
Years of data
55
1970–2024

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in MDG: Southern Asia, 1970–2024

020.0M40.0M60.0M197019972024

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

MDG: Southern Asia recorded 54.48 million for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.6% on the previous year and down 3.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in MDG: Southern Asia peaked at 59.04 million in 2019 and was at its lowest, 2.75 million, in 1971.

MDG: Southern Asia ranks 32nd of 221 groups on this measure, 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 in MDG: Southern Asia, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) in MDG: Southern Asia, 1970 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1970 46.85 million
1971 2.75 million -94.1%
1972 2.86 million +4.1%
1973 2.97 million +3.7%
1974 47.21 million +1490.6%
1975 3.45 million -92.7%
1976 3.78 million +9.8%
1977 4.15 million +9.7%
1978 4.41 million +6.3%
1979 48.49 million +998.8%
1980 48.71 million +0.4%
1981 5.32 million -89.1%
1982 5.50 million +3.4%
1983 5.95 million +8.3%
1984 6.25 million +5.0%
1985 6.55 million +4.7%
1986 7.15 million +9.2%
1987 7.55 million +5.6%
1988 8.04 million +6.5%
1989 8.05 million +0.2%
1990 8.00 million -0.7%
1991 8.16 million +2.0%
1992 8.09 million -0.9%
1993 8.01 million -0.9%
1994 8.41 million +5.0%
1995 8.57 million +1.9%
1996 8.59 million +0.1%
1997 8.77 million +2.2%
1998 52.30 million +496.2%
1999 52.10 million -0.4%
2000 52.11 million +0.0%
2001 52.44 million +0.6%
2002 51.30 million -2.2%
2003 50.84 million -0.9%
2004 51.59 million +1.5%
2005 52.74 million +2.2%
2006 54.61 million +3.6%
2007 55.30 million +1.3%
2008 55.72 million +0.8%
2009 54.94 million -1.4%
2010 55.54 million +1.1%
2011 57.15 million +2.9%
2012 56.72 million -0.8%
2013 57.24 million +0.9%
2014 56.70 million -0.9%
2015 56.85 million +0.3%
2016 56.92 million +0.1%
2017 57.88 million +1.7%
2018 57.92 million +0.1%
2019 59.04 million +1.9%
2020 57.65 million -2.4%
2021 50.90 million -11.7%
2022 42.88 million -15.8%
2023 50.65 million +18.1%
2024 54.48 million +7.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 16.69 million 2.75 million 48.49 million 10
1980s 10.91 million 5.32 million 48.71 million 10
1990s 17.10 million 8.00 million 52.30 million 10
2000s 53.16 million 50.84 million 55.72 million 10
2010s 57.20 million 55.54 million 59.04 million 10
2020s 51.31 million 42.88 million 57.65 million 5

Countries ranked near MDG: Southern Asia

  1. 29 Thailand 1.47 million compare
  2. 30 Nepal 1.36 million compare
  3. 31 Italy 1.29 million compare
  4. 32 Sudan 1.15 million compare
  5. 33 Spain 1.11 million compare
  6. 34 Madagascar 1.05 million compare
  7. 35 Iran, Islamic Republic of 1.02 million compare

See the full ranking of 435 places →

More education data for MDG: Southern Asia

All data for MDG: Southern Asia →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in MDG: Southern Asia?
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in MDG: Southern Asia was 54.48 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in MDG: Southern Asia?
The highest recorded value was 59.04 million in 2019.
What is the lowest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes recorded in MDG: Southern Asia?
The lowest recorded value was 2.75 million in 1971.
How does MDG: Southern Asia rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes?
MDG: Southern Asia ranks 32nd out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
Is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes rising or falling in MDG: Southern Asia?
Over the last ten years it is down 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this MDG: Southern Asia 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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Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes in MDG: Southern Asia. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-pre-primary-education-both-sexes-number-2/mdg-southern-asia/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
435 places, 18,608 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release