When it comes to determining the most educated countries in the world, it can prove rather difficult to figure out what aspects should be utilized. There are elements that might just consider the percentage of individuals who are literate, or who attend school. There are other methods for measuring performance that includes the percentage of individuals who attend college, or the general knowledge fought in the different grade, public and college facilities. Ultimately, it is necessary to take all of these variables into consideration, and while it is difficult to really grade each country, it is possible look at the overall performances of the different countries in order to come with a list of the most educated countries in the world.
10. Australia
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 38.3 percent
This is a rather popular destination for international students to travel. Whether it is individuals moving from Asia in order to study in an English based setting or people from North America and Europe looking for a study abroad program, 25 percent of the total population in Australia comes from foreigners attending college in the area. These numbers of outside individuals attending college inside of Australia might boost the numbers a bit, but ultimately, it does prove important and it shows that it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world, mostly true to the desirable education provided in the country.
9. Finland
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 39.3 percent
Finland regularly performs well in international tests and it has one of the best public education systems in the world. Nearly two percent of the money spent by the government is on bachelor’s degrees or similar programs, which is the second highest in the world. This is why the country is in the top 10 of most educated countries in the world.
8. New Zealand
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 39.3 percent
The second country to appear in the south pacific, New Zealand provides higher education for over 15 percent of its adults, which is some of the highest in the entire world. Over seven percent of the national GDP spend in 2010 came off of the educational district inside of New Zealand, which is the same percentage as the United States. In fact, over 20 percent of the government’s spends is on education, which makes it one of the largest expenditures the country tackles, which places it onto the list of most educated countries in the world, simply because the nation is so devoted to providing a quality education for those in the country.
7. United Kingdom
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 39.4 percent
About 75 percent of all higher education inside of the United Kingdom is funded by private sources, which is second only to Chile in the world. With the shared expenses, it makes college education far more affordable in the United Kingdom against what is available in other nations, especially the United States. In fact, the United Kingdom is the second most desired location for international students to attend college, outside of the United States. With the quality higher educational schools to everything the government and private sectors do in order to help pay for the schooling, the United Kingdom is one of the most educated countries in the world.
6. South Korea
Percentage Population with Tertiary Education: 40.4 percent
The first country to break the 40 percent barrier in terms of adults with a higher education degree, there are only 2.6 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree in the country that do not have a job, which drastically helps with the unemployment figures. Essentially, someone that does have a higher education is most likely going to find a job, which in turn makes it far more desirable for individuals to attend colleges. Private funding accounts for around 73 percent of all secondary education, which is a rather large percentage. It is actually the third larger percentage of most industrial nations.
5. United States
Percentage Population with Tertiary Education: 42.5 percent
Public spending continually increases for education, although this is mostly because the cost for higher education inside of the United States is so high. In fact, it is the most expensive location to attend college in terms of dollar value. With the increasing cost of college education, it is likely the United States will slip on this list, simply because many individuals are just not able to afford the cost. However, another element that is preventing the United States from reaching higher on this list is the fact that it does have one of the lowest mathematical proficiency scores in the industrial world. If that number increases, it might make up for the increase in college educational costs. Otherwise, it is likely the U.S. will start to drop in the next few years.
4. Israel
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 46.4 percent
All individuals, both men and women, are required to enlist in the military and service a short time between the time they turn 18 and 21 (depending on if they are male or female). Due to this, it has reduced the overall percentage of individuals who do have a higher education. Most likely, more individuals would enroll directly into college and place Israel much higher on this list. Regardless though, annual spending per student is lower than other well-educated nations in the world, but this is probably because the cost of education is also lower in the nation as well. The national government is also looking for ways to boost educational spending in the next few years, in order to increase the higher education degrees.
3. Japan
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 46.4 percent
Japan has one of the most educated nations in the world, as although the country does not spend on much on education as most other industrial nations, it does have the highest level of literacy in the world, which is actually double the proportion of the United States. High school graduation is some of the highest in the world and it does provide excellent upper level courses for those living in the nation as well. This is why Japan is on the list of most educated countries in the world.
2. Canada
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 51.3 percent
Almost one in four Canadian adults, which is the highest percentage of all industrial nations, have at least a career based education. The nation of Canada spends over $16,000 per student, which is second only to the United States, although colleges are less expensive inside of Canada as well. This is what has helped place Canada second on the list of most education countries in the world.
1. Russian Federation
Percentage of Population with Tertiary Education: 53.5 percent
Over half of the Russian’ population have at least a tertiary education. Additionally, almost 95 percent of all Russian adults have some sort of secondary qualifications, which is exceptionally high, when compared to the average of 75 percent of industrial nations. While there are reports of corruption in the educational system in order to boost numbers, it is impossible to know if these reports are true, and so Russia is number one.
