Education is essential for any country’s development, and the benchmark of a country’s educational level is seen in the number of educated people per capita. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accessing quality education has become a major challenge for developing countries, where resources and access to good education remain elusive.
However, countries all over the world have largely included basic education in core curriculum policies. This systematic expansion of educational access has gradually improved educational levels in many nations, leading to an increase in the number of educated people.
In this article, we will look at some of the most educated countries in the world and identify the factors that have enabled such nations to attain an educated population.
Getting an Education: Overview
Education is the cornerstone of any nation’s growth and development, providing citizens with the necessary skills and competencies to drive economic growth and development. Many governments provide free or subsidized enrollment in public schools and universities, which offer quality education at a low cost. As a result, many countries have seen gradual improvements in their educational level, as evidenced by the increasing number of educated citizens.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) compiles data on population literacy, school enrollment rates, and tertiary education enrollment rates to rank the world’s most educated countries. The Top 10 list contains seven countries from Europe and three countries from Asia, and their educational policies offer a useful case study for other nations that strive to reach similar levels.
Top 10 Countries With the Most Educated Population
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Canada: Canada tops the UIS’ list of most educated countries, and it is widely recognized for providing quality education at a low cost. It has achieved a tertiary education enrollment rate of over 76.5%, making it one of the most educated countries in the world.
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Japan: Japan is known for its good education system, which is characterized by a high school enrollment rate of over 95%. This has contributed to a very high numeracy and literacy rate of 99.9%.
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South Korea: South Korea, as a major economy in Asia, has achieved a high school enrollment rate of 94%. It also has an adult literacy rate of just under 100% and a tertiary education enrollment rate of 70%.
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Finland: Finland is considered one of the best education systems in the world. It has achieved a school enrollment rate of over 99%, making it one of the highest educated countries in the world.
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Sweden: Sweden has achieved a high adult literacy rate of 99.7%. It also has a school enrollment rate of close to 95% and a tertiary education enrollment rate of 75%.
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Israel: Israel is considered one of the most educated countries in the world, with a school enrollment rate of nearly 94%, an adult literacy rate of just under 100%, and a tertiary education enrollment rate of close to 75%.
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United States: The US has achieved a school enrollment rate of just under 94%, an adult literacy rate of just under 100%, and a tertiary education enrollment rate of 67%.
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Netherlands: The Netherlands has achieved a school enrollment rate of nearly 94%, an adult literacy rate of just under 100%, and a tertiary education enrollment rate of close to 70%.
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Germany: Germany has achieved a school enrollment rate of 91%, an adult literacy rate of nearly 100%, and a tertiary education enrollment rate of slightly over 80%.
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New Zealand: New Zealand has achieved a school enrollment rate of just under 95%, an adult literacy rate of almost 100%, and a tertiary education enrollment rate of just over 70%.
Common Factors That Have Enabled These Educated Countries
The countries that appear on the list of most educated countries tend to be some of the more advanced and developed countries in the world. Each of these countries has adopted educational policies that focus on making education affordable, accessible and motivating. Here we look at some of the common factors that have enabled these educated countries to remain at the top of the list.
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Quality Education: Most of the countries on the list have devoted significant resources to providing quality education to their citizens. This includes providing well-trained teachers, access to amenities and resources, and holistic approach to teaching, among other things.
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Accessible Education: Most of the countries on the list provide easy access to schooling. This includes making basic education free or subsidized, providing public transportation to make access to schools easier, and providing access to higher education at low cost.
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Affordable Education: All these countries make education affordable for most of their citizens. They provide financial aid to those who need it, create incentives for talented students, and reduce the cost of tuition.
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Emphasis on Scientific and Technical Education: All the countries on the list have placed a great emphasis on scientific and technical education. This is especially important for the development of advanced technology and the advancement of a nation’s economy.
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Investment in Vocational Education: Vocational education helps students develop skills that can be used to pursue different occupations, and this remains one of the primary goals of many countries. Vocational education is heavily subsidized in these countries, making it easier and more affordable for students to pursue their desired careers.
Education is an important pillar of a nation’s growth and development, and the countries that appear on the list of most educated countries are testament to that fact. From providing quality education to making it accessible and affordable, these nations have invested heavily in educational policies that have enabled them to attain an educated population. As other nations around the world seek to increase their own educational levels, they should look to the models implemented by the most educated countries in the world to get an idea of what needs to be done.
