School enrollment, preprimary in India
India: School enrollment, preprimary was 51.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
School enrollment, preprimary in India, 1971–2021
Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % gross.
Analysis
The most recent figure for school enrollment, preprimary in India is 51.7%, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 15.4% on the previous year and down 14.6% over five years.
Over the whole period, school enrollment, preprimary in India peaked at 62.8% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 1.1%, in 1971.
India ranks 118th of 197 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
School enrollment, preprimary in India, year by year
| Year | % gross | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1.1% | — |
| 1972 | 1.3% | +13.6% |
| 1973 | 1.4% | +8.5% |
| 1975 | 1.5% | +10.0% |
| 1976 | 1.6% | +7.6% |
| 1977 | 1.9% | +15.2% |
| 1978 | 1.9% | +0.4% |
| 1981 | 2.4% | +25.9% |
| 1982 | 2.1% | -10.9% |
| 1983 | 2.5% | +19.6% |
| 1984 | 2.4% | -5.9% |
| 1985 | 2.5% | +3.5% |
| 1986 | 2.9% | +17.4% |
| 1987 | 2.9% | +0.3% |
| 1988 | 3.2% | +8.9% |
| 1989 | 3.1% | -1.0% |
| 1990 | 2.9% | -7.6% |
| 1991 | 3.2% | +10.6% |
| 1992 | 3.0% | -6.0% |
| 1993 | 3.1% | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 4.0% | +31.9% |
| 1995 | 4.4% | +8.6% |
| 1996 | 4.4% | +0.7% |
| 1997 | 3.2% | -26.6% |
| 2017 | 60.5% | +1773.3% |
| 2018 | 60.7% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 62.8% | +3.6% |
| 2020 | 61.1% | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 51.7% | -15.4% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 51.7% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.5%, 1.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- India's 51.7% is below the median for South Asia, which is 61.9%, 84% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where School enrollment, preprimary in India 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +1773.3% | 3.2% | 60.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.5% | 1.1% | 1.9% | 7 |
| 1980s | 2.7% | 2.1% | 3.2% | 9 |
| 1990s | 3.5% | 2.9% | 4.4% | 8 |
| 2010s | 61.3% | 60.5% | 62.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 56.4% | 51.7% | 61.1% | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is school enrollment, preprimary in India?
- School enrollment, preprimary in India was 51.7% in 2021, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest school enrollment, preprimary recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 62.8% in 2019.
- What is the lowest school enrollment, preprimary recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.1% in 1971.
- How does India rank for school enrollment, preprimary?
- India ranks 118th out of 197 countries with data for 2021.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of School enrollment, preprimary (% gross). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Preprimary education refers to programs at the initial stage of organized instruction, designed primarily to introduce very young children to a school-type environment and to provide a bridge between home and school.