Educational systems, as crucial mechanisms for societal and personal development, play a universal role across various terrains and time zones. Their primary purpose is unwavering: to instill in individuals a fundamental understanding of civilization and its role within it.
Despite the universal essence of education, its execution varies markedly across different regions of the globe, resulting in a rich diversity of pedagogical approaches and outcomes.
This article takes you on a journey through 10 distinct educational systems ranked based on factors such as public education development, quality at both basic and higher levels, and school attendance rates. Dive in to discover how different nations prioritize and uphold the beacon of knowledge.
Table of Contents
1. Finland: leading the pack
Topping our list is Finland, a country that has consistently shone in the education sector since 2000. Although the accolade of the world’s best education system is unofficial, recent surveys confirm Finland’s top position.
Despite the addition of five new parameters in 2017 to determine the best education systems globally, Finland held its own, even excelling in indicators such as teacher-to-student ratio and the number of students passing in primary and secondary schools.
Finland’s winning formula includes free education with no dead ends, consistent top performance in the International Student Assessment Survey, and a deep-rooted respect for American education research and philosophers like John Dewey.
This Nordic nation exceeds the United States in science, math, and reading. The Finnish education system focuses on individual needs, promotes self-evaluation for schools and teachers, and provides free meals to students. Students have the freedom to shape their educational path and are not bound by national standardized testing.
2. Japan: a close second
Holding the second position for three consecutive years, Japan has shown commendable resilience amidst stiff competition, particularly from South Korea.
Japan’s success lies in its focus on developing an understanding among students aged 5 to 14 years. Despite fluctuations in the rankings, the Land of the Rising Sun never fails to secure its spot among the world’s best education systems.
3. South Korea: the three-time champion
South Korea, with its impressive educational system, has been a three-time champion in the poll of the world’s 10 best education systems. The nation has been nipping at Japan’s heels for the second position.
The key to South Korea’s educational success is its significant development of students aged 5 to 14 years. However, falling test scores of high school and graduation students keep it from climbing to the second position. Despite this, South Korea remains a formidable player in the global education arena.
4. Denmark: leaping ahead
Traditionally not celebrated for its ranking, Denmark has earned a reputation for its highly developed education system among elites.
The Nordic nation made a remarkable leap from 8th to 4th position, largely due to its improved teacher-to-student ratio in secondary and primary schools. This indicator has significantly boosted Denmark’s standing in the world of education.
5. Russia: preparing workspace ready students
Coming in at 5th position, Russia deserves applause for making it into the top tier of countries with the best education systems.
Known for producing workspace-ready students, the Russian education system also boasts a commendable teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1 to 9. Despite its challenges, Russia continues to make strides in the educational sector.
6. Norway: a dramatic ascent
From the 16th position in the previous quarter, Norway made a dramatic ascent to the 6th position, owing to notable changes in its education system.
Competing well with Russia and Japan, Norway also boasts an impressive teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1 to 10. This Nordic nation’s focus on education reform has yielded significant results, as reflected in its improved ranking.
7. The United Kingdom: potential hindered by challenges
Although a strong contender among the top-ranked countries, the United Kingdom has slipped to the 7th position due to ongoing conflicts between the government and teachers.
Improvement could be on the horizon if the government addresses these issues, including better wages for teachers, enhanced classroom support for students, and equipping each class with modern educational facilities. Despite its challenges, the UK’s education system remains among the world’s best.
Read also: The 10 best universities worldwide in 2022
8. Israel: championing child development
Even though Israel stands at the 8th position in terms of its education system, it secures a notable second place for fostering a developed childhood and better upbringing of kids.
The country has shown significant progress compared to previous years, with considerable increases in the enrolment rate in primary schools and graduation rates. Despite these advancements, Israel has yet to crack the top five in global education rankings.
9. Sweden: steadfast progress
Sweden, mirroring the strides of its Nordic neighbors – Finland, Norway, and Denmark, maintains an impressive pace in the educational realm.
The country has witnessed substantial progress in its education system from 2015 to 2018, notably in the increased enrolment of students aged between 15 to 18 years, ranking third among all nations. Despite these achievements, Sweden still has some distance to cover to break into the top five in world education rankings.
10. Hong Kong: rapid rise
Last year, Hong Kong held the 14th spot in the world’s top 20 education systems poll. However, dedicated efforts on key indicators have enabled this vibrant city to climb into the top 10.
The surge in the higher enrolment rate of primary-age students significantly contributed to this leap. If Hong Kong continues to focus on increasing enrolment rates across all ages and improving test score performance, it has the potential to rise even higher and secure a place among the top five.
Excellent educational systems are the bedrock of a prosperous and innovative world
The significance of a robust education system cannot be overstated, as it serves as the cornerstone of a prosperous and innovative society. From Finland’s student-centric approach to Israel’s focus on childhood development, these top-ranked countries set the global standard in education.
Their dedicated efforts reflect a deep-seated belief in nurturing young minds to create a promising future. These rankings reveal the current education superpowers and provide valuable insights for other countries aspiring to elevate their own systems. After all, global progress hinges on education — a shared responsibility that transcends borders.
Read also: 7 ways education is the most powerful weapon to change the world
