Mykolaiv region has lost 34 kindergartens in three years

The number of preschools and children attending them continues to decline in the Mykolaiv region. Over the past three years, the region has lost more than three dozen kindergartens, and the number of children has decreased by almost 3,500.

This is evidenced by the data of the Department of Statistics in Mykolaiv region.

The network of preschool education institutions in Mykolaiv region continues to shrink. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as of the end of 2025, there were 429 kindergartens in the region, while in 2023 there were 463. Thus, in two years, the region has lost 34 preschool education institutions.

At the same time, the number of children attending kindergartens is decreasing. While in 2023, 22.9 thousand children were brought up in preschool education institutions, in 2025 this figure was already 19.4 thousand. The reduction was about 15%, which indicates a steady downward trend in demand for preschool education in the region.

SCREEN SHOT: mk.ukrstat.gov.ua

Along with the number of children, the number of places in kindergartens is also decreasing. In 2023, the institutions were designed for 33.4 thousand places, in 2024 - for 32.5 thousand, and by the end of 2025 - for 31.2 thousand places. This may be due to both demographic changes and the consequences of a full-scale war, which caused part of the population to leave the region or change their place of residence.

Statistics also show a significant disparity between urban and rural areas. Almost two-thirds of all preschool education institutions in the region (66.7%) are located in rural areas, but the vast majority of children - 71.3% - attend urban kindergartens. This indicates a higher concentration of population and demand for preschool services in urban areas.

There are slightly more boys than girls in kindergartens. The share of boys is 51.6%, while the share of girls is 48.4%.

At the end of 2025, there were an average of 45 children per preschool institution. At the same time, for every 100 places in kindergartens, there were actually only 62 children, which indicates a significant reserve of capacity in the region's preschool education system. This situation may be the result of a decline in the birth rate, migration and military challenges that continue to affect the demographic situation in the region.

In April, at a meeting of the Mykolaiv City Council, deputies considered the liquidation of three preschool education institutions. the issue of closing kindergartens #104, #128 and #138 was brought to the session by Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych . As a result, the deputies supported the decision to liquidate kindergarten No. 138.

Анна Бальчінос