Preschool Education as a Factor Affecting Human Capital: Evaluation of Preschool Education Expenditures in Turkey and Various Countries

As a factor affecting human capital, preschool education is an important level of education that supports children’s physical, social and cognitive progress, enables the acquisition of social skills such as cooperation and communication, and enables the development of basic skills to prepare children for primary school. Investments in the development and dissemination of early childhood education programs constitute an important foundation for human development. In this context, the aim of this study is to reveal the importance given to preschool education in OECD member countries and Turkey and to make some inferences by making comparisons with various data on this level of education. In addition, is the budgetary allocation for preschool education in Turkey sufficient compared to other countries? Is the importance given to preschool education at a desirable level? The answers to these questions have been sought. At the end of the study, some evaluations were made regarding the annual changes in total expenditures on preschool education per child in OECD countries, the financing of early childhood education in public and private institutions and the share of public expenditures on education in total public expenditures. In this context, it has been concluded that Turkey's participation rates in preschool education at the ages of 3 and 4 are well below the OECD average and Turkey is below the OECD average both in terms of annual expenditures per preschool child and in terms of expenditures for all children aged 3-5. In this context, it has been concluded that Turkey's participation rates in preschool education at the ages of 3 and 4 are well below the OECD average and Turkey is below the OECD average both in terms of annual expenditures per preschool child and in terms of expenditures for all children aged 3-5. In this context, it has been concluded that Turkey's participation rates in preschool education at the ages of 3 and 4 are well below the OECD average and Turkey is below the OECD average both in terms of annual expenditures per preschool child and in terms of expenditures for all children aged 3-5.