Which type of childcare is most common in the EU?
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In 2021, in the EU, half of all children aged less than three years were cared for exclusively by their parents. At national level, the highest shares were recorded in Romania (77%), Czechia (72%) and Bulgaria (68%).
On the other hand, in 2021, 36% of children aged less than 3 were in formal care for at least one hour per week. Among the EU countries, the Netherlands recorded the highest share (74%), followed by Denmark (69%) and Luxembourg (62%).
Source datasets: ilc_caparents and ilc_caindformal
Finally, less than a quarter (21%) were cared for by professional child-minders, grandparents, other household members (excluding parents), other relatives, friends or neighbors. In the Netherlands and Cyprus (both 45%), followed by Greece (44%), this form of care was prevalent.
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on living conditions in Europe - childcare arrangements
- Dedicated section on income and living conditions
- Database on income and living conditions (ilc)
Methodological notes:
- Slovakia: 2020 data.
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