Find out the average age at which children start school by country in this ranking that compares school-entry ages around the world. The ranking highlights differences in education systems, early childhood development standards, and cultural norms that influence how children begin their formal education. Find out which countries start school earlier, and where children begin their academic journey later.
At what age do children go to school?Average age of starting school by country
🇫🇮 Finland: 7
🇸🇪 Sweden: 7
🇩🇰 Denmark: 7
🇳🇴 Norway: 7
🇮🇸 Iceland: 6
🇮🇹 Italy: 6
🇩🇪 Germany: 6
🇪🇸 Spain: 6
🇫🇷 France: 6
🇧🇪 Belgium: 6
🇨🇭 Switzerland: 6
🇳🇱 Netherlands: 6
🇦🇹 Austria: 6
🇨🇦 Canada: 6
🇦🇺 Australia: 6
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 5
🇮🇪 Ireland: 5
🇺🇸 United States: 5
🇳🇿 New Zealand: 5
🇸🇬 Singapore: 5
🇰🇷 South Korea: 5
🇯🇵 Japan: 5
🇮🇱 Israel: 5
🇵🇹 Portugal: 5
🇧🇷 Brazil: 5
🇦🇷 Argentina: 5
🇨🇱 Chile: 5
🇲🇽 Mexico: 5
🇹🇷 Turkey: 5
🇮🇳 India: 4
🇵🇰 Pakistan: 4
🇵🇭 Philippines: 4
🇻🇳 Vietnam: 4
🇷🇺 Russia: 4
🇺🇦 Ukraine: 4
🇵🇱 Poland: 4
🇨🇿 Czech Republic: 4
🇭🇺 Hungary: 4
🇸🇰 Slovakia: 4
🇸🇮 Slovenia: 4
🇭🇷 Croatia: 4
🇷🇴 Romania: 4
🇱🇹 Lithuania: 4
🇱🇻 Latvia: 4
🇪🇪 Estonia: 4
🇲🇹 Malta: 4
🇬🇷 Greece: 4
🇧🇬 Bulgaria: 4
🇿🇦 South Africa: 4
🇳🇬 Nigeria: 4
Sources:
- OECD Education at a Glance reports
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics
- National education ministries and statistical agencies
These sources provide information about the typical or legally mandated age when children begin formal schooling, which can vary slightly depending on the country’s educational system and policies.