Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland

Ireland: Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level was 12.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
12.2%
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
19th
of 45 countries
All-time high
19.3%
in 2019
All-time low
0.0%
in 2013
Years of data
12
2013–2024

Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland, 2013–2024

051015202013201820242013: 0 Percentage2014: 0 Percentage2015: 0 Percentage2016: 0 Percentage2017: 4.1 Percentage2018: 18.3 Percentage2019: 19.3 Percentage2020: 11.5 Percentage2021: 8.8 Percentage2022: 9.8 Percentage2023: 11.7 Percentage2024: 12.2 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

Ireland recorded 12.2% for pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.3% on the previous year and down 36.8% over five years.

Over the whole period, pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland peaked at 19.3% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 2013.

Ireland ranks 19th of 45 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.

Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level and age - as % of corresponding age population in Ireland, 2013 to 2024.
Year Percentage Change
2013 0.0%
2014 0.0%
2015 0.0%
2016 0.0%
2017 4.1%
2018 18.3% +346.3%
2019 19.3% +5.5%
2020 11.5% -40.4%
2021 8.8% -23.5%
2022 9.8% +11.4%
2023 11.7% +19.4%
2024 12.2% +4.3%

Ireland compared with similar countries

  • Ireland's 12.2% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 10.9%, 1.1× the median. (34 countries reporting)
  • Ireland's 12.2% is above the median for high income countries, which is 8.8%, 1.4× the median. (32 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 6.0% 0.0% 19.3% 7
2020s 10.8% 8.8% 12.2% 5

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 16 Lithuania 14.2% compare
  2. 16 Lithuania 14.2% compare
  3. 18 Cyprus 14.1% compare
  4. 20 Latvia 12.1% compare
  5. 21 Latvia 12.0% compare
  6. 22 North Macedonia 9.9% compare

See the full ranking of 47 places →

More population data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland?
Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland was 12.2% in 2024, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level recorded in Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 19.3% in 2019.
What is the lowest pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 2013.
How does Ireland rank for pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level?
Ireland ranks 19th out of 45 countries with data for 2024.
Where does this Ireland data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level and age - as % of corresponding age population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level in Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/pupils-in-early-childhood-and-primary-education-by-education-level-and-age-as-percent-of/ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Pupils in early childhood and primary education by education level and age - as % of corresponding age population
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
47 places, 512 data points, 2013–2024
Last refreshed