Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — About 90 percent of children aged between 36 months and 59 months in Saudi Arabia live in a positive, stimulating home learning environment, with rates of 90.1 percent among girls and 89.8 percent among boys. This is among the findings of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics for 2025, issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

About 82.4 percent of children aged between 24 months and 59 months are on track in the areas of health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, according to the Early Childhood Development Index 2023 (ECDI2030). It showed that 83.2 percent of girls are on track, compared with 81.6 percent of boys.

Regarding children’s book ownership, the data showed that 31 percent of children under the age of five own one to two books, while 9.2 percent own three books or more. The results further revealed that 17.3 percent of children aged 36–59 months are enrolled in an early childhood education program, with the rate among girls reaching 18.2 percent compared with 16.5 percent for boys.

Meanwhile, participation in organized learning for five-year-olds reached 73 percent, including 74.5 percent of girls and 71.5 percent of boys. The survey also showed that 35.1 percent of children aged 5-7 years use digital devices for one to two hours daily, while 28.8 percent use them for less than one hour per day.

The Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics are based on data from the 2025 Women and Child Health Survey and administrative records from the Ministry of Education for the 2024–2025 academic year. They are among the most significant indicators reflecting the state of early childhood development in the Kingdom. They are used to support national policies and improve the quality of life for children in their early years.