Did you know that only around 45 percent of the population in the world is educated? A country can only be developed if its population is educated. This is because developing and underdeveloped countries have the lowest literacy rate in the world.
Thus, the more educated a country is, the better it’s quality of life. So, if you want to know what are the most educated countries in the world, keep reading this article.
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How is the level of education measured?
While every country has a unique educational system, the level of education of the countries in the world is measured by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
OECD prepares the list by comparing the percentage of each country’s population aged between 25 to 64 years and having completed some degree of tertiary education. By tertiary education, the OECD means two to four-year degrees or vocational programs. However, it’s crucial to remember that the OECD compares the population of only the 38 countries that are its members.
Top 10 most educated countries in the world
This list is prepared based on the OECD report on tertiary education in 2022. So, according to the report, the most educated countries in the world are as follows:
1. Canada: 59.96 percent
The best country when it comes to the average population with tertiary education, Canada has a fantastic education system. In Canada, early education is free and mandatory. The government also encourages tertiary education by providing grants and loans to students.
The quality of education is also very high since it has some quality and prestigious universities like the University of Toronto and McGill University.
2. Japan: 52.68 percent
Known as one of the most meticulous countries in the world, it should be no shock that Japan is on this list. Japanese culture promotes hard work and strives for excellence. Boys’ preferred line of work is science, whereas girls prefer humanities.
But, they need to get a university degree first to get their preferred jobs. Thus, most people in Japan enroll in universities. Moreover, unlike other countries where private universities provide better quality education, Public universities like the University of Tokyo rank higher in Japan.
3. Luxembourg: 51.31 percent
In a country with a small population but with great achievements, more than half of Luxembourg’s population is educated. Thus, the country cultivates an educational culture among its citizens.
The most renowned university in Luxembourg is the University of Luxembourg. And the most interesting thing about Luxembourg is that it jumped from tenth place to third place in the list in only four years.
4. South Korea: 50.71 percent
It is so astonishing to see how much South Korea has developed over the last 50 years. Considered one of the poorest countries in the world during the 1960s, South Korea is now a global power. And the high education level has played its part in this impressive feat.
South Korea has a great education culture, and the parents in South Korea motivate their children to pursue higher education, making the country rank so high on the list.
5. Israel: 50.12 percent
Another country that has a prominent education culture, more than half of Israel’s population has university degrees. This education culture was instilled in the Israeli people during ancient times. Now, with more technological developments in Israel, parents want their children to become scientists and engineers.
6. United States: 50.06 percent
The United States locates some of the world’s most prestigious universities in the world. So, it should not be a surprise to see the United States on this list. The number of options available for students who want to pursue tertiary education in the United States is astonishing.
But, the thing that needs to be noted is that the United States could have ranked higher in this list if not for the exorbitant tuition fees that disincentive many students.
7. Ireland: 49.94 percent
The world’s most educated nation also happens to be one of its most beautiful. Five of Ireland’s seven public universities come among the top 100 universities in the world. What’s startling is that tertiary education in those seven universities is free for local and European Union students.
8. United Kingdom: 49.39 percent
One of the most developed countries on the list, the United Kingdom has almost 50 percent of the population educated. Since it is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the quality of life has always been good in the UK.
Therefore, parents could always afford for their children to pursue higher education in the country. In addition, the UK is home to numerous renowned universities, like the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, which further aids in the education culture of the UK.
9. Australia: 49.34 percent
A renowned country for higher education, most of the universities in Australia are public. Students can also acquire Study Assist, which is a student loan. The Australian government also promotes women’s education. This is because of this reason Australia has one of the highest populations of educated people in the world.
10. Finland: 47.87 percent
The last country on the list, Finland, only has a matriculation exam to be eligible for university. Since going to universities is so easy in Finland, most people usually enroll in one. Moreover, university education is also free and has many options for students to choose from.
How can countries improve their educational resources?
Education is the backbone of any society. It plays a huge role in determining nations’ progress, prosperity, and growth. Therefore, countries need to ensure that they have adequate resources and infrastructure to support their educational systems. Here are some ways that countries can improve their educational resources.
1. Invest in technology
Investing in technology is one of the best methods to enhance educational resources. Technology can increase access to quality learning materials, facilitate greater collaboration between teachers and students, and help create an interactive and engaging learning environment.
2. Develop teacher training programs
While investing in technology is important, it’s also essential to focus on developing better training programs for teachers. Such programs can help ensure that teachers are confident, knowledgeable, and prepared to teach effectively – thus making the learning experience more enjoyable for students.
3. Create a positive school environment
A positive school environment can make all the difference when it comes to student engagement and success. To create such an environment, countries should focus on creating an engaging curriculum, providing a safe and supportive environment for students, and establishing strong relationships between teachers and students.
4. Invest in quality textbooks
Quality textbooks are essential to any educational system as they provide accurate information and help shape the student’s understanding of the topic. Therefore, countries should invest in high-quality, regularly updated textbooks and provide accurate information for students.
5. Provide adequate funding
Adequate funding is essential for any educational system to thrive, as it helps ensure that resources are available and can be used effectively. Therefore, countries should focus on providing sufficient funds to their educational systems so that they can purchase the necessary equipment, materials, and other resources.
These are only a few ways that nations might enhance their educational offerings. Ultimately, it is up to each nation to decide how they wish to invest in education and ensure that students receive the highest quality instruction and resources possible. By doing so, they can help create a brighter future for generations to come.
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