Children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland
Ireland: Children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and was 64.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
64.8%
Change on year
down 3.0%
World rank
14th
of 42 countries
All-time high
79.8%
in 2021
All-time low
61.6%
in 2019
Years of data
11
2015–2025
Children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland, 2015–2025
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.
Analysis
In 2025, children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland stood at 64.8%.
That represents a change of down 3.0% on the previous year and down 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland peaked at 79.8% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 61.6%, in 2019.
Ireland ranks 14th of 42 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Percentage | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 69.7% | — |
| 2016 | 73.3% | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 72.0% | -1.8% |
| 2018 | 62.7% | -12.9% |
| 2019 | 61.6% | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 75.1% | +21.9% |
| 2021 | 79.8% | +6.3% |
| 2022 | 73.4% | -8.0% |
| 2023 | 68.3% | -6.9% |
| 2024 | 66.8% | -2.2% |
| 2025 | 64.8% | -3.0% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 64.8% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 50.9%, 1.3× the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 64.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 47.4%, 1.4× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 67.9% | 61.6% | 73.3% | 5 |
| 2020s | 71.4% | 64.8% | 79.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More economy & growth data for Ireland
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.96 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.52 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 67.14 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.1102 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 12,444 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.82 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 103.44 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0079 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 893.09 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 7.57 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland?
- Children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and in Ireland was 64.8% in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 79.8% in 2021.
- What is the lowest children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 61.6% in 2019.
- How does Ireland rank for children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and?
- Ireland ranks 14th out of 42 countries with data for 2025.
- Is children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Children in formal childcare or education by age group, duration and income quintile. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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