The UK has one of the lowest expenditures per child on pre-primary education among the world’s leading economies, a report shows.

In early childhood education, expenditure per child in the UK is around $6,893 (£5,260), according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s latest Education at a Glance study.

This compares with around $11,735 (£8,960) per child on average across OECD countries that have data available.

The report, which looks at the state of education systems in 38 nations with developed economies, plus 11 other countries, also says that the UK is the only OECD country where the child-to-teacher ratio in pre-primary education increased by more than 5 per cent per year.

Between 2013 and 2022, the ratio of children to teaching staff at pre-primary level fell across most countries, from 16:1 to 15:1 on average in OECD countries, due to there being fewer children and more teachers.

Early years: OECD highlights childcare gap

The report also highlights a “noticeable and consistent” disparity in family income when it comes to participation in childcare.

On average, across OECD countries with available data, 32 per cent of children under the age of 3 from lower-income households attend childcare, compared with 50 per cent of those from higher-income households.

It says the enrolment gap across income levels is more pronounced in Ireland and the UK, where the cost of childcare is “relatively high” for parents.

The study was carried out before the UK government’s expansion of funded childcare for working parents began being rolled out in England in April.

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Working parents of all children older than nine months in England are now able to access 15 hours of funded childcare, before the full rollout of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September 2025.

The OECD report - which provides the latest indicators on the state of education around the world - is being launched in London on Tuesday morning, with a speech by education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

Regional differences in attainment

The report also suggests that educational attainment varies more between regions in the UK than between regions in many other OECD countries.

While 71 per cent of 25- to 64-year-olds in London have obtained a tertiary qualification, such as a university degree, the figure for the North East of England is only 42 per cent.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “These findings underline the significant disparity between the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

“Tackling the high level of child poverty in the UK is vital to closing the attainment gap. We need to see tangible action from the government as a matter of urgency, as we cannot continue to accept the fact that socioeconomic disadvantage plays such a huge role in educational outcomes.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said the government will “deliver real change by integrating childcare and early years into the wider education system as a national priority, delivering free breakfast clubs in every primary school, and by developing an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty”.

They added: “Our curriculum and assessment review will also consider how to ensure that young people - particularly those with SEND or from disadvantaged backgrounds - get the opportunity to access a broad and balanced curriculum, as well as the crucial work and life skills necessary to succeed.”