Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration was 61.4% in 2018. ▬ Flat

Latest (2018)
61.4%
Change on year
down 8.1%
World rank
24th
of 45 countries
All-time high
72.9%
in 2012
All-time low
61.4%
in 2018
Years of data
14
2005–2018

Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2005–2018

0204060802005201120182005: 70.8 Percentage2006: 67 Percentage2007: 62 Percentage2008: 65.1 Percentage2009: 64.6 Percentage2010: 65.7 Percentage2011: 66 Percentage2012: 72.9 Percentage2013: 70 Percentage2014: 71.1 Percentage2015: 69.6 Percentage2016: 71.5 Percentage2017: 66.8 Percentage2018: 61.4 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

In 2018, children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood at 61.4%. That is the lowest value across all 14 years on record.

That represents a change of down 8.1% on the previous year and down 5.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 72.9% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 61.4%, in 2018.

That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 24th out of 45 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.

Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration - % over the population of each age group in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2005 to 2018.
Year Percentage Change
2005 70.8%
2006 67.0% -5.4%
2007 62.0% -7.5%
2008 65.1% +5.0%
2009 64.6% -0.8%
2010 65.7% +1.7%
2011 66.0% +0.5%
2012 72.9% +10.5%
2013 70.0% -4.0%
2014 71.1% +1.6%
2015 69.6% -2.1%
2016 71.5% +2.7%
2017 66.8% -6.6%
2018 61.4% -8.1%

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with similar countries

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 61.4% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 63.9%, 96% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 61.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 57.6%, 1.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 65.9% 62.0% 70.8% 5
2010s 68.3% 61.4% 72.9% 9

Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  1. 22 Italy 64.5% compare
  2. 23 Switzerland 63.2% compare
  3. 24 United Kingdom 61.4% compare
  4. 26 Cyprus 57.6% compare
  5. 27 Finland 56.7% compare

See the full ranking of 47 places →

More population data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 61.4% in 2018, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 72.9% in 2012.
What is the lowest children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 61.4% in 2018.
How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 24th out of 45 countries with data for 2018.
Is children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration - % over the population of each age group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/children-in-formal-childcare-or-education-by-age-group-and-duration-percent-over-the/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Children in formal childcare or education by age group and duration - % over the population of each age group
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
47 places, 884 data points, 2005–2025
Last refreshed