1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
European Commission
Eurostat – Statistical Office of the European Union
L-2920 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
26 March 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
27 May 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
11 April 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 4 on quality education, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘A new plan for Europe's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’, ‘Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model’ and ‘Protecting our democracy, upholding our values’.
SDG 4 seeks to ensure that people have access to equitable and quality education through all stages of life, from early childhood education and care, through primary and secondary schooling, to technical, vocational training and tertiary education.
The Council of the European Union on 26 February 2021 adopted the Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030), a framework that addresses five strategic priorities: (1) Improving quality, equity, inclusion and success for all in education and training; (2) Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality for all; (3) Enhancing competences and motivation in the education profession; (4) Reinforcing European higher education; and (5) Supporting green and digital transitions in and through education and training.
As early childhood education and care are increasingly recognised as an integral part of the education and training system, the Council Resolution sets the EU target for participation in early childhood education and care to be at least 96% of children between three years old and the starting age for compulsory primary education by 2030.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the share of children between the age of three and the starting age of compulsory primary education who participated in early childhood education and care (ECEC) which can be classified as ISCED level 0 according to the International Standard Classification for Education (ISCED 2011). In order for ECEC programmes to be classified as ISCED level 0, they must be intentionally designed to support a child’s cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development. The starting age of compulsory primary education varies across countries. The participation of children in programmes which are not intentionally designed to support child development (such as childcare-only programmes) is not included in this indicator.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of the population between 3 years old and the starting age of compulsory primary education
4.3. Reference Period
School year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS); UOE data collection on education statistics (for enrolment data) and Eurostat population statistics (for population statistics)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is disseminated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+2 years5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within two years after the reference year .
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented times series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2013.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is more than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards the SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
see table sdg_04_31
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat (overview).
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
