The number of early education institutions in Moldova has decreased. In 2024, there were 1,469 operating kindergartens, by 10 fewer than in 2023. The number of creches, kindergartens and community centers declined. Also, fewer and fewer children are enrolled in early education institutions, according to a statistical report on last year, IPN reports:
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of children enrolled in early education institutions was 127,200 in 2024, by 2,400 fewer than in 2023.
The report shows that the decrease in the number of children in kindergartens is more pronounced in villages. In towns, more than half of the total children were enrolled in kindergarten, most of them boys.
Most of the children were enrolled in preschool education institutions – 87.3% of the total. The highest figure was recorded in the municipality of Chisinau – 89.9% and the lowest one in the south of the country – 85.4%. The rest of the children were enrolled in ante-preschool education institutions.
Last year, there were 72 children on average per one hundred places in early education institutions, compared to 73 in 2023.
In 2024, early education was organized in 769 units with creche-kindergarten status, 595 kindergartens, 89 nursery schools, 14 community centers and two creches.
