Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China

China: Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled was 40.93 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
40.93 million
Change on year
down 11.6%
World rank
1st
of 214 countries
All-time high
48.19 million
in 2021
All-time low
2.45 million
in 1974
Years of data
51
1974–2024

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China, 1974–2024

010.0M20.0M30.0M40.0M50.0M197419992024

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

The most recent figure for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China is 40.93 million, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of down 11.6% on the previous year and up 5.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China peaked at 48.19 million in 2021 and was at its lowest, 2.45 million, in 1974.

China ranks 1st 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), gaps filled in China, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China, 1974 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1974 2.45 million
1975 2.64 million +7.7%
1976 6.20 million +135.0%
1977 13.96 million +125.1%
1978 8.97 million -35.7%
1979 7.88 million -12.2%
1980 8.79 million +11.6%
1981 11.51 million +30.9%
1982 10.56 million -8.2%
1983 11.13 million +5.4%
1984 11.40 million +2.4%
1985 12.95 million +13.5%
1986 14.80 million +14.3%
1987 16.29 million +10.1%
1988 18.08 million +11.0%
1989 18.55 million +2.6%
1990 18.48 million -0.4%
1991 19.72 million +6.7%
1992 22.09 million +12.0%
1993 24.28 million +9.9%
1994 25.53 million +5.1%
1995 26.30 million +3.0%
1996 27.11 million +3.1%
1997 26.66 million -1.7%
1998 25.19 million -5.5%
1999 24.03 million -4.6%
2000 23.26 million -3.2%
2001 22.44 million -3.5%
2002 20.22 million -9.9%
2003 20.36 million +0.7%
2004 20.84 million +2.3%
2005 21.31 million +2.3%
2006 21.79 million +2.2%
2007 22.64 million +3.9%
2008 23.49 million +3.8%
2009 24.75 million +5.4%
2010 26.58 million +7.4%
2011 29.77 million +12.0%
2012 34.24 million +15.0%
2013 36.86 million +7.6%
2014 38.95 million +5.7%
2015 40.51 million +4.0%
2016 42.65 million +5.3%
2017 44.14 million +3.5%
2018 46.00 million +4.2%
2019 46.56 million +1.2%
2020 47.14 million +1.2%
2021 48.19 million +2.2%
2022 48.06 million -0.3%
2023 46.28 million -3.7%
2024 40.93 million -11.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 7.01 million 2.45 million 13.96 million 6
1980s 13.41 million 8.79 million 18.55 million 10
1990s 23.94 million 18.48 million 27.11 million 10
2000s 22.11 million 20.22 million 24.75 million 10
2010s 38.63 million 26.58 million 46.56 million 10
2020s 46.12 million 40.93 million 48.19 million 5

Countries ranked near China

  1. 2 India 37.89 million compare
  2. 3 Pakistan 9.95 million compare
  3. 4 United States of America 8.48 million compare

See the full ranking of 435 places →

More education data for China

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China?
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China was 40.93 million in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled recorded in China?
The highest recorded value was 48.19 million in 2021.
What is the lowest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled recorded in China?
The lowest recorded value was 2.45 million in 1974.
How does China rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled?
China ranks 1st out of 214 countries with data for 2024.
Is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled rising or falling in China?
Over the last ten years it is up 5.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this China data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in China. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 03 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-pre-primary-education-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled-2/china/

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How this figure is calculated

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.

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Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.

About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
435 places, 19,298 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.