As the old adage goes, “Education is the Key to Success.” It’s not just important for individuals, but for nations as a whole. However, some nations enjoy much greater rates of educational standards than others. These are the Top 10 Most Educated Nations, based on different parameters such as literacy, college/university graduation rates, investment in educational facilities, and percentage of educated population among others. Class is in session!
#9. Ireland
Ireland’s economy has an average annual growth rate of 7.3%, which has enabled Ireland to invest 8.79 billion Euros in education annually. With 89% of the population finishing high school and 47% of Irish citizens holding a post-secondary diploma or degree of some sort, this island nation is ready for any challenge.
#8. Finland
Finnish students consistently rank in top spots on the PISA rankings, an international survey which ranks nations in reading, math, and science. With 100% national literacy, its 63% university graduation rate is the highest in the world. With free tuition for all citizens, this barrier to education has been removed. It is one of the few countries where fields of business, social sciences, and law are not the most popular among students, but instead new entrants in tertiary institutions prefer studying manufacturing, engineering, and construction.
#7. Australia
Australia’s postsecondary holders constitute 39% of its total population; annual growth rate is 3.3%, GDP per capita of $40,719 and 59% college graduation rate. Its college graduation rate is the best in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s education standards can be said to be at their peak.
#6. Norway
Norway’s percentage population with tertiary education stands at 37%, college graduation rate and GDP per capita are 41% and $56,617 respectively. The country has the world’s third-greatest expenditure on education and with 60% of all tertiary students taking bachelor’s programs, the country is headed in a positive direction in terms of education.
#6. United Kingdom
37% of the British population holds postsecondary education and college graduation rate stands at 39%. It features some of the world’s best tertiary institutions like Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and unlike the “just study and get good grades” system of most countries, UK’s system is based on training its students to be human beings and not human machines.
#5. New Zealand
High-quality teaching staff who are well remunerated, innovative and abundant research opportunities, innovative academic facilities, and a globalized, skill-based economy are some of the driving forces behind New Zealand’s perfect educational standards. 40% of the population holds a degree or diploma, and of post secondary entrants, 51% of students graduate.
#3. United States
42% of the US population holds tertiary education. However, it has a very low college graduation rate of 31%. Development of a world-class curriculum, bringing the best university graduates into teaching, and the fact that US is the current home of technology are some of the few factors that have led to a surge in educational attainment in the country.
#2. Japan
Japan’s percent of population with tertiary education is 45%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.95% and per capita GDP $33,875. Ranging from internationally recognized tertiary institutions to junior schools, the country has a very powerful educational structure. The country’s school system has risen consistently in international rankings due to their modern approach to education system, by going against the evaluation-driven, centralized model that the majority of the Western World uses.
#1. Canada
51% of Canada’s population holds tertiary education, which is the second highest rate in the world and its literacy rate is unmatched at 99%. Rather than being coordinated by a central or federal education ministry, Canada’s education is run and monitored independently by the thirteen provinces and territories through a Council of Education, an approach that has worked very well to ensure that their degrees, diplomas or certificates are globally recognized as being equivalent to those obtained from the US or Commonwealth countries. Besides, the bilingual country is considered a world leader in language training.
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