In 2024, 95.0% of children between the age of 3 and the compulsory starting age for primary education in EU countries were in pre-primary education, up from 91.2% in 2014.
This brings the EU one step closer to achieving the goal set out in the European Education Area strategic framework, which aims to have at least 96% of children in early childhood education and care by 2030.
The highest participation rates among EU countries were reported by France (100%), Belgium (98.1%), Lithuania and Hungary (97.9% each).
In contrast, the lowest rates were recorded in Romania (76.5%), Slovakia (81.8%) and Czechia (86.4%).
Source:
Eurostat, 18 May 2026