Nearly 87% of Cypriot children aged between three years and mandatory school age attended formal preschool care for at least 25 hours weekly in 2023, surpassing the EU average of 68%, according to data released by Eurostat.
The figures show that only 0.9% of Cypriot children in this age group attended preschool facilities for 1-24 hours per week, significantly below the EU average of 21.1%.
However, the data reveals concerning disparities when considering children at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
In Cyprus, 32.5% of children in this vulnerable category did not participate in any formal childcare or education system, compared to just 8% of children not at risk. The EU averages stood at 16.8% and 9% respectively.
Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Cyprus were also less likely to receive formal childcare for more than 25 hours weekly (67.5%) compared to children not at risk (90.9%). The corresponding EU averages were 58.7% and 71%.
The statistics indicate that no children at risk of poverty in Cyprus received formal care for 1-24 hours weekly, compared to 1.1% of children not at risk.
At the EU level, children at risk of poverty were slightly more likely to receive part-time formal care (24.5%) than those not at risk (20%).
Eurostat noted that the data concerning children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Cyprus should be treated with low reliability.
(information from CNA)
