Percentage of educated people in the world. Ten most educated countries in the world with high literacy rates

If we take the ranking of education around the world, Russia does not rank first in it, but ends up in 20-40 positions. What is it - the incompetence of domestic teachers or the biased attitude of Western rating agencies in assessing the level of Russian education? The portal’s specialists looked into this issue.

Why are they compiled?

The compilers and customers of ratings pursue business goals. They need to sell the services of higher educational institutions and increase traffic to their own web resources. In addition, high positions in published indicators are the prestige of not only the universities themselves, but also the countries in which they are located, which allows them to attract both human capital and investment.

Following this, the share of educational services in the export line of such a country increases. This important factor, the better developed the export of services in a country, the stronger the economy. For example, in the USA, services account for 78% of GDP, industry - 21%, and only 1% - agriculture. That is, out of $18.5 trillion in GDP, $14.5 trillion comes from services. Great Britain's GDP is fifth in the world ranking. The country has captured 10% of the global services market, making it economically strong and sustainable. Leading positions in the global services market are the key to powerful economic growth.

Some data

Part of this market is education. Every year, over 4 million students study abroad.

They choose universities based on rankings, in which the USA and European countries occupy the first places. Therefore, the United States accounts for about 20% of all foreign students – that’s about 800 thousand people. For the UK – a little more than 11% or about 450 thousand people.

Russian universities manage to attract 5% of foreign students, behind Australia (7.5-8%), France (7.5-8%) and Germany (6-7%). Here, domestic universities are ahead of China (less than 2%), South Korea (about 1.5%), Malaysia and Singapore (each attracting 1.2%).

Of the total number of students, a third come from the following countries:

  1. China – just over 15%;
  2. India – about 6%;
  3. South Korea – 3.5-3.7%;
  4. Germany – 2.6-2.8%.

Based on the distribution of the total number of students, the following areas are in greatest demand among students:

  1. Business – 22-23%;
  2. Engineering – 14-15%;
  3. Humanities – 14-15%;
  4. Law, sociology – 12-13%.

The struggle of universities for first places in world rankings is a method of increasing the country’s economic growth.

What are the ratings?

There are different indicators based on various systems assessment. Some of them are presented in the table below:

TOP-5 according to different assessment systems

TOP 5

Place of Russia

Education level

Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Germany

The best universities in the world according to TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION

Oxford, Cambridge, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

194 (Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov)

Effectiveness of national education systems

USA, Switzerland, Denmark, UK, Sweden

International study of the quality of reading and text comprehension (based on the results of 4th grade students)

Hong Kong, Russia, Finland, Singapore, Northern Ireland

International quality study mathematics education(based on the results of 11th grade students)

Russia ( in-depth study), Lebanon, USA, Russia, Portugal,

International study of the quality of science education (based on the results of 11th grade students)

Slovenia, Russia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden

If Russian schools adequately cope with the functions assigned to them, questions arise regarding the system higher education. Why, while receiving well-prepared students, do domestic universities not compete with American, English, and German universities?

The problem lies in the assessment approaches and directions that are taken as a basis, namely:

  1. Education;
  2. Science;
  3. Internationalization;
  4. Commercialization.

Domestic experts explain the unfavorable data on Russia in foreign rating agencies by an imperfect assessment system. The objects of study - universities - are presented to them as research institutions.

A simple example. One of the evaluation parameters is the ratio of the number of teaching staff and students of the institution. There are 8 students per Russian teacher. In foreign universities, this ratio is 2.5 times higher - 1 to 17. Different approaches have an impact, the domestic path puts work in the classroom in first place, in the West the advantage is given to independent learning.

By the way, Due to this indicator, Russia managed to rise in the ranking, but it is planned to change the ratio, after which there will be 12 students per one domestic teacher. This will lower the country in the lists and worsen the attractiveness of studying in Russian universities for foreigners.

Universities are forced to change under the pressure of the demands dictated by new times. Their activities must be taken into account from the standpoint of introduced innovations, the introduction of innovations into the economy, as well as their role in the development of the country's regions. Expanding the areas of assessment will help avoid contradictions and compile an objective rating.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development recently released Education at a Glance 2012, covering OECD and G20 countries for which data is available. According to this document, which considers vocational education as part of higher/post-secondary school education The five most educated countries in the world are:

5. United States of America
Post-secondary education: 42% of population
Group annual growth: 1.3%

The United States, the fifth most educated country in the world and the fourth most educated in the OECD, is home to some of the most renowned institutions of higher education.

However, the rate of growth in the number of people with post-secondary education in the United States is only 1.3% per year, very low compared to the OECD average of 3.7%. This means that America may be overtaken by other countries in the future.

The United States is considered one of the world leaders in higher education when it comes to people aged 25 to 64 years. However, if we consider age group from 25 to 34 years old, the United States will rank only 14th in the world.

4. Japan
Post-secondary education: 45% of population
Group annual growth: 2.9%

In Japan, the world's fourth most educated country, students pay more for education than most other OECD countries - Japan has the fourth highest tuition fees after the US, Korea and Britain. In addition, the government spends only 0.5% of GDP on post-secondary education - less than half the OECD average of 1.1% of GDP.

Almost 32% of post-secondary education in Japan is financed from private sources. This is the third largest percentage of private funding in the world.

3. Israel
Post-secondary education: 46% of population

In Israel, which ranks third in the percentage of post-secondary education holders, approximately 37% of young people are expected to receive higher or secondary specialized education in their lifetime. The OECD average is 39%.

Israelis with more than a high school education are less likely to be unemployed than people with a similar education in an average OECD country. The unemployment rate for this part of the population in Israel is 4.2%, and the OECD average is 4.7%.

2. Canada
Post-secondary education: 51% of population
Group annual growth: 2.4%

Canada is the second most educated country in the world and the most educated country in the OECD. More than half of Canadians aged 25 to 64 have completed post-secondary education. In addition, Canada spends $20,932 per student per year. Only Switzerland and the United States spend more.

However, each individual Canadian pays almost the same for higher education - on average, its total direct cost is $18,094.

In Canada, women who have completed college or university outscore less educated women by 55%. This is the largest pay gap between educational levels in the OECD. Although Canada is ranked among the world's leaders in higher education, according to OECD economic research, if it wants to maintain its ranking and remain competitive in the global labor market, it must increase its participation rate as its population ages.

1. Russia
Post-secondary education: 54% of population
Annual group growth: no data

Russia, a member of the G20 but not the OECD, ranks first in the world in higher education, according to the OECD. Russia has long history investments in the educational system. 33% of adults in it have secondary specialized or vocational education.

Proportion of foreign students per Russian programs post-secondary education is also growing. Between 2005 and 2010, their number increased by 78%. 4% of all students in the world who receive post-secondary education - including vocational education - abroad study in Russia. Usually these are people from countries neighboring Russia. Institutions in the US, Britain, Australia, Germany and France together account for half of all the world's students who study abroad.

Important indicators in this regard are the educational index, male to female literacy ratio, number of students in secondary schools, and students in colleges and universities. The number of universities, schools, libraries and the readers visiting them is also important. Based on these parameters, a list of the most educated countries in the world was compiled.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a wonderful country with many outstanding attractions, high level life, human rights and medicine. It's no surprise that it ranks among the 10 most educated countries in the world, with a literacy rate of 72%. Higher education is available to every citizen of the country, and from the age of five, education is compulsory for children. There are 579 public libraries and approximately 1,700 colleges in the Netherlands.

New Zealand

New Zealand is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The country is not only one of the richest economies in the world, but also one of the most literate countries. New Zealand's education system is classified into three different levels including basic school, high school and higher education. At each of these levels of education, the New Zealand school system is based primarily on functional learning rather than simple memorization of materials. The New Zealand government pays maximum attention to educational institutions. This is why New Zealand's literacy rate is 93%.

Austria

The central European German-speaking country of Austria is one of the strongest economic systems in the world. 98% of Austrians can read and write, which is a very high figure. It's no surprise that Austria is on the list of the most developed countries in a world with a high standard of living, first-class educational institutions and medical services. The first nine years of free and compulsory education are paid for by the government, but further education must be paid for independently. There are 23 famous ones in Austria state universities and 11 private universities, 8 of which are among the best in the world.

France

France is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and the 43rd largest country in the world. The educational index is 99%, indicating one of the highest levels of education among 200 countries worldwide. Several decades ago, the French education system was considered the best in the world, losing its leading position only in the last few years. The French educational system is divided into three stages, including basic, secondary and higher. Among the many universities in the country, 83 are funded by state and public funds.

Canada

The North American country of Canada is not only the second largest country in the world, but also one of the richest in terms of GDP per capita. It is also one of the most educated countries in the world. Living in one of the safest countries, Canadians enjoy in a healthy way life with high quality educational institutions and advanced medicine. Canada's literacy rate is approximately 99%, and Canada's three-tier education system is similar in many ways to the Dutch school system. 310 thousand teachers teach at basic and senior levels, and approximately 40 thousand teachers are employed in universities and colleges. There are 98 universities and 637 libraries in the country.

Sweden

This Scandinavian country is one of the five most educated countries in the world. Free education is compulsory for children aged 7 to 16 years. Sweden's educational index is 99%. The government is trying hard to provide equal free education to everyone Swedish child. There are 53 in the country public university and 290 libraries.

Denmark

Denmark boasts not only the strongest economic system in the world. It is also one of the happiest countries on the planet with a literacy rate of 99%, making it one of the most literate in the world. The Danish government spends a huge amount of their GDP on education, which is free for every child. School system in Denmark offers high-quality education to all children without exception.

Iceland

The Republic of Iceland is a beautiful island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. With a literacy rate of 99.9%, Iceland is one of the three most literate countries in the world. The Icelandic education system is divided into four levels, including pre-school, primary, high school and higher education. Education from 6 to 16 years of age is compulsory for everyone without exception. Most schools are funded by the government, which provides free education to children. 82.23% of the country's citizens have higher education. The Icelandic government spends a significant portion of its budget on education, ensuring a high literacy rate.

Norway

Norwegians can be called the healthiest, richest, and most educated people in the world. With a literacy rate of 100%, Norway boasts the world's most highly skilled workforce. A significant portion of tax revenues to the budget is spent on the country's education system. They love reading books here, which is confirmed by the number of public libraries - there are 841 of them in Norway. The school system in Norway is divided into three levels: basic, intermediate and higher. Education is compulsory for children from six to sixteen years of age.

Finland

Finland is a beautiful European country. It rightfully occupies a leading position in the lists of the richest and most literate countries in the world. Finland has been improving its own unique education system for many years. Nine years of education are compulsory for children aged 7 to 16 and are completely free, including government-subsidized nutritious meals. Finns can be called the best readers in the world, judging by the number of libraries in the country. The literacy rate in Finland is 100%.

Education in countries around the world differs by many factors: pedagogical system, shape educational process, the means that people invest in learning. depends on general level development of the state. Different countries have their own educational system.

When it comes to applying abroad, many things come to mind: various countries and universities. The level of quality of education depends on many things, from funding to the structure of education.

It is interesting to note how the students themselves made the choice. It was calculated how popular foreign countries are among foreigners. Germany and England occupy the leading positions, while Poland closes the ranking.

Charles University in Prague is the most prestigious higher education institution in the Czech Republic, the oldest university Central Europe

Higher education in Europe for foreigners is much cheaper than in the USA and Canada. The cost of one semester at a European university starts from 726 euros. Universities in Denmark, Sweden, France and Germany are considered the most prestigious.

In almost every European country you can find at least one program where training is conducted in English. This option is suitable for those who do not want or do not have the opportunity to learn a new language.

You can enroll in a European university immediately after school and with a minimum set of documents. Usually they require you to provide a certificate (or diploma), a certificate confirming your language proficiency level and a motivation letter.

After graduating from university in Europe, everyone foreign students allowed to stay in the country for some time to look for work and find employment.

In 2020, the most prestigious universities in Europe are:

  • Oxford and Cambridge. These are two of the most popular English universities, which young people from all over the world dream of enrolling in. Tuition fees at these universities range from 25,000 to 40,000 pounds.

Cambridge University is a UK university, one of the oldest (second after Oxford) and largest in the country

  • Technical Institute in Zurich. The cost of training is currently 580 francs, but starting in 2020 prices are expected to increase.
  • Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. One of the most popular universities in Germany, which has programs in both German and English.
  • University in Helsinki. This university was once free for everyone, but became fee-paying in 2017. The cost of one year at this university starts from 10,000 euros. This university offers programs in Finnish and English.

Munich technical university— Technische Universität München is one of the largest German universities and the most prestigious institution of higher education in the eastern part of Germany

When it comes to grants to study in Europe, the most popular option is participation in the Erasmus program. This program aims to exchange students from partner universities. The program covers all expenses for your stay in foreign university.

Higher education in the USA

In the United States of America, education is one of the most expensive in the world. One year at an American university will cost at least $35,000. Prospective students can apply for grants or scholarships, but some only cover part of the cost.

Americans themselves are not happy with the cost of education: students and university graduates complain that after graduation they have to pay off their debt for several more years.

Also, do not forget that in addition to paying for tuition, a student in the USA has other costs - for an apartment, food and health insurance, it costs from $8,000 to $12,000 per year.

The most prestigious universities in America are:

  • Stanford. Tuition fees start at $15,000 per year and depend on the chosen program, as well as the degree of study - bachelor's, master's or doctorate.
  • MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This technical university is known throughout the world not only for its high level of education, but also for a large number of lectures in open access. But the cost of education is not so affordable - from $25,000 per year.
  • Institute of Technology in California. The cost of one year of university education is about $50,000.
  • Harvard. One of the most expensive options, studying for a foreigner will cost from $55,000 per year.

List of famous universities in the USA

Thanks to global connections that span the planet modern world as if it had become smaller. In these conditions, the role of education has increased significantly - the prosperity of the state cannot take place without the effective operation of the education system, as well as other factors of socio-economic development. In order to somehow compare the quality of the education system, experts have come up with a number of metrics (PIRLS, PISA, TIMSS). Based on these metrics and other parameters (number of graduates in a country, literacy rate), since 2012 the Pearson group has published its own index for various countries. In addition to the index, learning achievements and thinking skills are taken into account. This year the list of countries with better education is:


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1. Japan

This country has advanced the most in many technologies, and the reform of the educational system put it in first place in this ranking. The Japanese were able to radically change the education model and create an effective control system in it. When the country's economy suffered a complete collapse, education was seen as the only source of its development. Japanese education has a long history, and now it preserves its traditions. His system is based on high technology, which allows the Japanese to lead in understanding of problems and level of knowledge. The literacy rate of the population here is almost 100%, but only primary education is mandatory here. For many years, the Japanese education system has been aimed at preparing school students for employment and fruitful participation in public life. Here, children are required to achieve results consistent with their abilities. The curriculum in Japan is rigorous and dense, and students learn a lot about the cultures of the world. Particular emphasis is placed on practical training.

2. South Korea

Until about 10 years ago, there was nothing special to say about the Korean education system. But rapid development the South Korean economy has sharply promoted it to the list of leaders in the world. There is a large percentage of people here with higher education, and not because studying has become fashionable, but learning has become the principle of life for Koreans. Modern South Korea leads in terms of technological development, and this could only be achieved through government reforms in the field of education. $11.3 billion is allocated annually for education here. The country is 99.9% literate.

3. Singapore

The population of Singapore has a high IQ. Particular attention is paid here to the quality and volume of knowledge, but also to the students themselves. At the moment, Singapore is one of the richest countries and at the same time one of the most educated. Education plays a vital role for the success of the country, so they spend money on it without stinting - investing $12.1 billion annually. The country's literacy rate is above 96%.

4. Hong Kong

This piece of mainland China is distinguished by the fact that researchers have determined that its population has the highest IQ. Literacy of the population and the education system here are at a very high level. Thanks to a well-thought-out education system, success in the development of high technologies here has also become possible. Hong Kong is one of the “business centers” of the world; it is perfectly suited for obtaining high-quality higher education. Moreover, they have a high level different stages education: not only higher education, but also primary and secondary. Training is conducted in the local dialect of Chinese and in English. Schooling, lasting 9 years, is compulsory for everyone in Hong Kong.


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5. Finland

The Finnish educational system gives students and schoolchildren maximum freedom. The country has completely free education, and the school administration even pays for meals if the student spends a full day at school. They are actively involved in attracting applicants to the country's universities. Finland leads the way in terms of the number of people who consistently complete any form of education. The country allocates significant resources to education - 11.1 billion euros. Thanks to this, it was possible to build a strong educational system here from entry level to the highest. Finnish schools are free to choose educational materials, and teachers here must have a master's degree. They are given wide freedom to organize activities in their classes.

6. UK

This country has long had the best educational system in the world. The UK has a traditional reputation for excellent education, especially at university level. The University of Oxford is considered a reference university in the world. In the field of education, Great Britain is a pioneer; over many centuries, it was here that the education system was formed within the walls of ancient English universities. But as for the primary and secondary levels of education, much less attention is paid to them, and only higher education is considered impeccable. This does not allow the UK to lead this ranking, and even in Europe it ended up in second place.

7. Canada

The level of higher education in Canada has reached such a high level that to obtain it in this country in recent years More and more foreign youth began to flock. At the same time, the rules for obtaining education may differ in different Canadian provinces, but what is common throughout the country is that the Canadian government pays a lot of attention to the standards and quality of education everywhere. The share of school education in the country is particularly large, but fewer young people strive to continue receiving it at universities than in the countries already mentioned. Funding for education is mainly handled by the government of a particular province, that is, the Canadian education system has a clear decentralized nature. Therefore, each province controls its own curriculum. Educational practices and teaching staff here are subject to strict selection. The integration of technology and meaningful interaction with students' families makes education more advanced. Education in Canada is conducted in English and French.


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8. Netherlands

The quality of Dutch education is evidenced by the fact that the population of this country is recognized as the most well-read in the world. Here, all levels of education are free, although there are paid private schools in Holland. A peculiarity of the local education system is that students under 16 years of age must devote their entire day to studying. Teenagers can then choose whether they should continue studying all day or reduce their study time, which determines whether they will strive to obtain a higher education or be content with primary education. In the Netherlands, in addition to secular educational institutions, there are also religious ones.

9. Ireland

The Irish education system is also considered one of the best in the world, if only because it is absolutely free, including in colleges and universities. Such successes in the field of education did not go unnoticed in the world, which is why this modest island also made it into such an honorable rating. Currently, Icelandic education has a clear bias towards learning Irish language and teaching on it. Primary education is compulsory for all Irish children and all educational institutions, including private ones, are financed by the government of the country. Its goal is to provide quality and free education to all the inhabitants of the island and at all levels. Therefore, 89% of the Irish population has completed compulsory secondary education. But free education does not apply to foreign students - even young people who come from the European Union must pay tuition here, and if they work here at the same time, they pay taxes.

10. Poland

Back in the 12th century, an education system began to take shape in Poland. It is interesting that it was here that the first Ministry of Education appeared, which to this day copes with its tasks perfectly. The successes of Polish education have a variety of confirmations, for example, Polish students have repeatedly become winners of various international competitions in mathematics and basic sciences. The country has a very high literacy rate. Thanks to the consistently high quality of education, Polish universities are ranked in many countries. Students from abroad also tend to come here.

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