The Rapid Rise of English Kindergartens in Korea
- Doyoung Lim
- Mar 16
- 1 min read
Mar 16, 2026
Doyoung Lim
In recent years, the number of English kindergartens in Korea has rapidly increased, especially in the southern part of the Han River. This suggests that relatively affluent parents are far more likely to send their children to such programs.
According to the survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education released Sunday, 29 percent of parents with children in kindergarten, elementary, or middle school said that their children are currently attending or have attended an English kindergarten.
In Korea, English kindergartens are currently considered private academies that teach young children, typically from around age 3 until they enter elementary school. In the Seocho and Gangnam Districts, the two most affluent districts in Seoul. However, English kindergartens often host numerous concerts, charging several million won per month, which makes them accessible to wealthy families.
24 percent of those parents suggested that economic factors lead to gaps in access to private education, and 21 percent of other parents said that their children can study independently, besides English programs. In addition, 16 percent said that they do not feel the need for it.
As the number of attending English kindergartens is increasing, spending on other private education also varies widely by household income, especially for middle school and high school students, or even elementary school students. Average monthly private education spending per student in Seoul was 663,000 won (444 USD) last year, about 45 percent higher than the national average of 458,000 won (306 USD).
