Spatial Patterns and Socioeconomic Correlates of Preschool Participation Across Türkiye’s Provinces: Evidence from 2024

Özet

Preschool education plays a critical role in supporting children’s development, improving school readiness, and reducing inequalities before compulsory education. This study examines the spatial distribution of preschool participation rates among children aged 3–5 and their associations with selected socioeconomic indicators across Türkiye’s 81 provinces. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, combining thematic mapping, descriptive statistics, normality assessment, and bivariate correlation analysis. Across the 81 provinces, participation rates averaged 52.27% and ranged from 36.90% to 67.50%. Although the spatial distribution revealed a broad east–west differentiation, this pattern was not uniform. Several provinces in eastern Türkiye recorded comparatively high participation rates, while some populous metropolitan and coastal provinces were not among those with the highest rates. The correlation results indicated that preschool participation was positively associated with average years of schooling, the employment rate, and gross domestic product per capita, whereas it was negatively associated with the unemployment rate. Overall, the findings suggest that provincial variations in preschool participation reflect multiple and place-specific dynamics rather than geography or metropolitan status alone. Accordingly, these dynamics should be assessed within their local contexts, and policy and planning decisions should be tailored to the distinct conditions and needs of each province.