Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia

Australia: Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes was 931,545 number in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)
931,545 number
Change on year
up 1.4%
World rank
35th
of 171 countries
All-time high
931,545 number
in 2018
All-time low
211,627 number
in 2003
Years of data
17
2001–2018

Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia, 2001–2018

200.0k400.0k600.0k800.0k1.0M2001200920182001: 273.0k number2002: 263.5k number2003: 211.6k number2004: 214.1k number2005: 221.7k number2006: 213.0k number2007: 212.4k number2008: 215.5k number2009: 219.7k number2010: 218.4k number2011: 273.6k number2013: 804.8k number2014: 864.4k number2015: 898.1k number2016: 910.4k number2017: 918.7k number2018: 931.5k number

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.

Analysis

The most recent figure for enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia is 931,545 number, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 17 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 332.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia peaked at 931,545 number in 2018 and was at its lowest, 211,627 number, in 2003.

Australia ranks 35th of 171 countries 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 early childhood education, both sexes in Australia, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes (number) in Australia, 2001 to 2018.
Year number Change
2001 272,996 number
2002 263,541 number -3.5%
2003 211,627 number -19.7%
2004 214,059 number +1.1%
2005 221,672 number +3.6%
2006 212,998 number -3.9%
2007 212,402 number -0.3%
2008 215,526 number +1.5%
2009 219,741 number +2.0%
2010 218,387 number -0.6%
2011 273,564 number +25.3%
2013 804,802 number +194.2%
2014 864,372 number +7.4%
2015 898,123 number +3.9%
2016 910,385 number +1.4%
2017 918,713 number +0.9%
2018 931,545 number +1.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 227,174 number 211,627 number 272,996 number 9
2010s 727,486 number 218,387 number 931,545 number 8

Countries ranked near Australia

  1. 32 Sudan 1.07 million number compare
  2. 33 Malaysia 1.00 million number compare
  3. 34 Nepal 958,127 number compare
  4. 36 Madagascar 901,960 number compare
  5. 37 Uzbekistan 874,385 number compare
  6. 38 Israel 863,050 number compare

See the full ranking of 171 places →

More reference data data for Australia

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia?
Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia was 931,545 number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes recorded in Australia?
The highest recorded value was 931,545 number in 2018.
What is the lowest enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes recorded in Australia?
The lowest recorded value was 211,627 number in 2003.
How does Australia rank for enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes?
Australia ranks 35th out of 171 countries with data for 2018.
Is enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes rising or falling in Australia?
Over the last ten years it is up 332.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Australia data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes in Australia. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 28 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-early-childhood-education-both-sexes-number/australia/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in early childhood education, both sexes (number)
Unit
number
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
171 places, 2,434 data points, 1997–2020
Last refreshed

Total number of students enrolled in public and private early childhood education institutions (ISCED 0) regardless of age. Within ISCED 0, early childhood educational development programmes are targeted at children aged 0 to 2 years; and pre-primary education programmes are targeted at children aged 3 years until the age to start ISCED 1.