Education can be measured by several yardsticks. One is how many years someone has been in school. Others are based on standardized tests. Still another is the ability to use education to lift people from one economic level to another. The United States often uses how far a person has gone in the school system. People are divided into groups: those without a high school degree, those who have a high school education, those who have attended college and those with a college degree. However, these standards cannot be readily applied to other nations.
To identify the most educated country in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed tertiary education data for different age groups from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Total adult higher educational attainment, as well as tertiary education for age groups 25 to 34 and 55 to 64, is from the OECD and is for the most recent year available for each country. Working age population (ages 15 to 64) and the 2018 total population were also from the OECD.
Some countries we examined take very different approaches to education. Some use a more hands-off method that encourages personal development over work-related skills. Others are more structured and use uniform curriculums and standardized ways of testing. Whatever the method, it is always important that students have enough resources and attention to learn and grow.
Early education can be an essential part of a child’s development. However, around the world people differ on what exactly early education should look like. Some believe it is best to let children be children and revolve learning around play and cooperation. Other methods introduce more structure to try and prepare children for education at the next level.
The most educated country in the world is Canada. Here are the details:
- Adult higher education attainment in 2020: 60.0%
- 25- to 34-year-olds with tertiary education in 2020: 64.4% (second out of 43 OECD countries)
- 55- to 64-year-olds with tertiary education in 2020: 50.0% (second)
- Percentage of population of working age in 2018: 66.7% (12th)
- 2018 population: 37.06 million (18th)
Canada comes in first as the most educated country in the world, with 60% of its adult population having a degree. More specifically, 64% of people between the ages of 25 and 34 have a higher education degree. According to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Education, the country spends 6% of its gross domestic product on education. This is above the OECD average of 5%. The national government provides some regulation and funding of education, but it is primarily the responsibility of provincial governments.
Click here to see all the most educated countries in the world.
Are You Still Paying With a Debit Card?
The average American spends $17,274 on debit cards a year, and it’s a HUGE mistake. First, debit cards don’t have the same fraud protections as credit cards. Once your money is gone, it’s gone. But more importantly you can actually get something back from this spending every time you swipe.
Issuers are handing out wild bonuses right now. With some you can earn up to 5% back on every purchase. That’s like getting a 5% discount on everything you buy!
Our top pick is kind of hard to imagine. Not only does it pay up to 5% back, it also includes a $200 cash back reward in the first six months, a 0% intro APR, and…. $0 annual fee. It’s quite literally free money for any one that uses a card regularly. Click here to learn more!
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings to provide coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.