Early (years) reactions: comparative analysis of early childhood policies and programs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of included countries

	Population (millions)^a	Population Density (/km²)^b	GDP per capita, PPP (current international $)^a	% of GDP Spent on ECE^c	Enrollment of children 3–5 years old in ECE (%)^c	Measles immunization coverage (%)^d	Gini coefficient^e	Responsibility for health and social programs and services^f
Australia	25.4	3	53,330	0.66	84	95	0.325	Federal: funding through transfer payments to states States: delivery programs/services; additional funding above federal transfer payments
Canada	37.6	4	46,611	0.20	24	90	0.303	Federal: funding through transfer payments to provinces/territories Provincial/territorial: delivery of programs/services; additional funding above federal transfer payments
Netherlands	17.3	518	59,268	0.60	95	94	0.285	National
Singapore	5.9	8019	98,520	0.19	84	95	0.458	National
UK	66.8	278	46,483	0.65	100	91	0.366	National Devolved delivery in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

^aas of 2020 [24]; PPP-purchasing power parity rounded to nearest dollar
^bas of 2020 [24];
^cfor ages 0-6 years old in 2006 for Canada [25], for ages 4-6 years old in 2011 for Singapore [32], and in 2015 for all other countries [26]; GDP by year was used as PPP was not available
^din 2019 [33];
^ein 2016 for Singapore [31], in 2018 for all other countries [25]
^fRefers to over-arching roles and responsibilities as there are many exceptions and nuances to health and social program/service funding and delivery. Federal levels of government generally provide limited delivery of health and social services (e.g., military). Local administrative (e.g., municipal) contributions to funding and delivery were not included

ISSN: 1471-2458