Education in the countries of the world is distinguished by many factors: the pedagogical system, the form of the educational process, the means that people invest in education. depends on the general level of development of the state. Different states have their own educational system.

When it comes to applying abroad, many different countries and universities come to mind. The level of quality of education depends on many things, from funding to the structure of education.

It is interesting to note how the choice was made by the students themselves. It was calculated how popular foreign countries are with foreigners. Germany and England take the lead, while Poland closes the rankings.

Charles University in Prague is the most prestigious higher education institution in the Czech Republic, the oldest university in Central Europe

Higher education in Europe for foreigners is much cheaper than in the US and Canada. The cost of one semester in a European university starts from 726 euros. The most prestigious are the universities of Denmark, Sweden, France and Germany.

In almost every European country, you can find at least one program where teaching is conducted in English. This option is suitable for those who do not want or do not have the opportunity to learn a new language.

You can enter a European university immediately after school and with a minimum set of documents. Usually they require to provide a certificate (or diploma), a certificate confirming the level of language proficiency and a motivation letter.

After graduating from a university in Europe, all international students are allowed to stay in the country for some time to look for work and employment.

In 2020, the most prestigious universities in Europe are:

• Oxford and Cambridge. These are two of the most popular English universities that young people from all over the world dream of enrolling in. The cost of education in these universities ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 pounds.

The University of Cambridge is a UK university, one of the oldest (second after Oxford) and largest in the country

• Technical Institute in Zurich. The tuition fee is currently 580 francs, but prices are expected to rise from 2020.
• Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. One of the most popular universities in Germany with programs in both German and English.
• University in Helsinki. This university was once free for everyone, but in 2017 it became a paid one. The cost of one year at this university starts from 10,000 euros. This university offers programs in Finnish and English.

Technical University of Munich - Technische Universität München - one of the largest German universities and the most prestigious institution of higher education in the eastern part of Germany

As for grants for studying in Europe, the most popular option is participation in the Erasmus program. This program is aimed at the exchange of students from partner universities. The program covers all expenses for staying at a foreign university.

Higher education in the USA

In the United States of America education is one of the most expensive in the world. One year at an American university will cost at least $35,000. Prospective students can apply for a grant or scholarship, but some of them only partially cover the costs.

Americans themselves are not happy with the cost of education: students and university graduates complain that after graduation they have to pay off their debt for several more years.

Also, do not forget that in addition to paying for tuition, a student in the United States has other costs - from 8,000 to 12,000 dollars a year is spent on an apartment, food and medical insurance.

The most prestigious universities in America are:

• Stanford. The cost of education starts from $15,000 per year and depends on the chosen program, as well as the degree of study - bachelor, master or doctor of science.
• MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This technical university is known throughout the world not only for its high level of education, but also for a large number of lectures in the public domain. But the cost of getting an education is not so affordable - from $ 25,000 a year.
• Institute of Technology in California. The cost of one year of study at a university is about $50,000.
• Harvard. One of the most expensive options, studying for a foreigner will cost from $55,000 per year.

List of famous universities in the USA

Friends, I think you are also wondering in which part of the world is the most educated country in the world? And what is this country? I must say right away that this is not Russia. In the end, I will write the aspects on which our country was not included in the rating compiled by the Economic Cooperation Organization, despite the large number of graduates.

In fact, I've always wondered which country is the most educated in the world. Education of the population is the foundation of a better future for the individual and the state. Even such an indicator as the average life expectancy is directly proportional to the level of education of the society. It is no accident that the statement that investment in education is the most reliable investment.

The level of education of the population, in turn, directly depends on the standard of living in the country and on how effective the education system is in general and in each university in particular.

The percentage of people with higher education in the world varies by country. Each state has built and operates its own education system. There are a number of countries (the European Union) that have similar requirements for the education system.

Ranking of the most educated countries in the world

In the small European country of Luxembourg, students have limited access to higher education. And at the same time, almost 43 percent of the country's adult population has a higher education. This high figure can be explained by the fact that often young people from Luxembourg go to study in neighboring Germany, France, Belgium and other countries.

The northern country of Norway, famous for its waterfalls, fjords and amazing natural landscapes, is confidently included in the list of countries with the most educated population. 43 percent of the total number of citizens graduated from the university. This high figure is largely due to the fact that Norway provides free education to everyone. A feature of the educational process can be called the spread of independent learning: this is when a student does not constantly go to classes and lectures, but studies at home using online sources. This does not prevent graduates of Norwegian universities from being considered highly qualified specialists in their field.

Another Scandinavian country boasts a high level of education of its citizens. This is Finland. Here, the proportion of adults with a higher education diploma is almost 44 percent. An interesting fact: having the most “ineffective” and very “confusing” education system some time ago, Finland carried out a number of important reforms in this area, and now Finnish university students are recognized all over the world as highly qualified specialists. Today's Finnish students study according to a system that allows you to get a lot of knowledge, while points and grades fade into the background. Most of the training is based on an independent and individual approach to the process on the part of students: students can attend subjects of their choice, forming a visiting schedule “for themselves”. Education in Finland, as in Norway, is free, even meals in student canteens are paid for by the administration of the institution.

Australia is home to seven of the 100 best universities in the world. These universities train really strong specialists. Among the graduates of Australian universities there are Nobel Prize winners. The popularity of Australian education is also facilitated by the fact that students have the right to study simultaneously in two different directions, mastering two different professions. To receive such a double-diploma is really prestigious and promising. And the proportion of citizens with a diploma in Australia is about 47 percent.

The United States is proud to host eight top 10 universities in the world. However, studying in America is both prestigious and expensive. In America, there is no single system of education; there are different versions of it in different states. In addition, the requirements for applicants are very high. The competition for top universities sometimes amounts to more than 15 people per place, but at the same time, the learning process will be as “targeted” as possible: sometimes there are only three to five students per professor-teacher. Among the adult population of America, the share of people with higher education is more than 45 percent.

Denmark is not accidentally included in the list of the most educated countries in the world. We have already discussed various things, including education. The Kingdom of Denmark has one of the highest rates of people with higher education. The government finances education, it is free for everyone. A feature of a specialist who graduated from a university in Denmark is his focus on solving practical problems; many Danes with higher education are specialists in the popular fields of engineering, medicine and biology.

Studying in the UK is prestigious. Great Britain is the progenitor of university education. In the universities of the United Kingdom, students receive fundamental education, mastering the humanities and technical specialties, and the proportion of graduates of technical universities is growing year by year. 46 percent of British adults are people with higher education.

Two Asian states at once have a relatively high level of population with higher education: South Korea and Japan.

Oriental traditions and education system are markedly distinguished by the desire of students to improve their innate abilities through diligence and diligence in learning. Some say that in time the most educated nations in the world will be concentrated in the east.

In South Korea, almost 47 percent of residents have a university degree. Getting an education is a priority for the population of the country. Even ten years ago, the educational indicators of the population of South Korea were much lower than they are now. The development of technology is one of the reasons for the increase in the number of highly educated people.

It should be noted that all South Korean universities form a certain hierarchy: a graduate's career largely depends on the prestige of the university he graduated from. The country pays much attention to the education and upbringing of children from an early age. South Korean children even go to kindergarten seven days a week.

Japan is a country where half of the adult population has higher education. And this despite the fact that education in universities is paid: the cost of education can be up to ten thousand dollars a year. Japanese parents have been collecting money for their children's education for several years. And the requirements for applicants are so high that only a quarter of them become students the first time, places in educational institutions are limited.

Japanese education is based on the application of achievements in the field of high technologies, specialists - graduates of technical universities and mathematical faculties are especially valued. In Russia, graduates, for example, with the results of the Unified State Examination can apply to several universities for several faculties at the same time. In Japan, an applicant has the right to apply to only one university. Just in case, if you are a foreigner and want to study at a Japanese university, then in addition to eleven classes, you will need to study one more year to receive a certificate of completion of twelve classes, this is the standard in Japan.

Israel has nine universities and a population of eight and a half million. Almost half of the inhabitants of the Jewish state have higher education! Education in Israel is paid. Girls and boys become students only after a mandatory two-year service in the army, so young people graduate from high school quite late, at almost 27 years old.

Canada tops the list by a wide margin as the most educated country in the world. More than 56 percent of the country's population aged twenty-five to sixty-five have higher education. This figure has been holding for more than a year. At the same time, the level of education in Canada is high, and diplomas from local universities are highly valued all over the world. There is even a term that Canadian education is "easily exported", and Canadian graduates are the most educated people in the world. Education in the "maple leaf country" is paid, but a number of unpopular faculties receive certain grants from the state, this makes it possible for students to study for free.

As you can see, there is no China on the list. So far, not all is well with the spread of higher education. Up to a maximum of 10 percent of Chinese adults are estimated to have attended college. And there are very few universities in China.

And finally, about us, about Russia.

What is happening with education in Russia, expert opinions

The education system that existed in the Soviet Union was recognized throughout the world as one of the best. And on TV in Soviet times they said that we are the most educated people in the world. And what about in Russia now?

By numbers, the ratings highly appreciate the number of specialists with higher education in our country. They talk about 54 percent of the adult population. That is, we are almost leaders. Indeed, there are many graduates in Russia, but a number of questions have arisen about the quality of education. In our country, the qualification of a specialist is not always a guarantee of his professional suitability and sufficiency of knowledge and skills. In Russia, education is highly valued only in a certain number of universities, and there are thousands of them throughout the country.

Russia and Poland are considered countries with "promising" education systems. Experts believe that Russian education needs to revise the education system in preschools and secondary schools, and improve the quality of higher education. I consider it right that our government has begun to pay attention to the development of specialized secondary education. This year, there were competitions for certificates in colleges on the basis of 9 classes due to the large influx. It is also gratifying to recognize that Russians have a historically established priority of education for themselves and their children. Information flashed somewhere that, according to a survey, eighty percent of school graduates plan to continue their studies at a university.

The practice of education has its roots in the deep layers of human civilization. Education appeared together with the first people, but the science of it was formed much later, when such sciences as geometry, astronomy and many others already existed.

The root cause of the emergence of all scientific branches is the needs of life. The time has come when education began to play an important role in people's lives. It turned out that society develops faster or slower, depending on how the upbringing of the younger generations is put in it. There was a need to generalize the experience of education, to create special educational institutions to prepare young people for life.

The fact that the economic development of the state directly depends on the level of development of science and education in the country is well known. This is an axiom that does not require proof. Because education is the most effective tool a society has to face the challenges of the future. It is education that will shape the world of tomorrow. About what the educational systems of the world are, which of them deserve special attention, and the conversation will go below.

20 best education systems in the world

Irina Kaminkova, "Khvilya"

In the modern world with its close global ties, the importance of education is beyond doubt: the effectiveness of educational institutions makes a significant contribution to the prosperity of states along with other factors of socio-economic development.

To assess and compare the quality of education systems, specialists have developed a number of metrics, among which the most famous are PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS. The Pearson Group has been publishing its own index since 2012, calculated on these metrics, as well as on a number of other parameters, such as literacy rates and the number of graduates in various countries. In addition to the overall index, two of its components are calculated: thinking skills and learning success.

We note right away that there are no data for Ukraine in this rating. The main reason is that for all the years of independence, officials in power have not bothered to issue and submit a single application for international testing. It is obvious that, despite the ardent patriotic rhetoric, the development of the national education system and its promotion at the global level, to put it mildly, is not in the circle of their interests. Here it is just right to take an example from Russia, which, despite similar problems with shrinkage, waste and resource leakage, nevertheless entered the top twenty and overtook (!) the United States.

In general, the development of national education systems in the world demonstrates the following trends:

the countries of East Asia are still ahead of the rest. South Korea is at the top of the rankings, followed by Japan (2), Singapore (3) and Hong Kong (4). The ideology of education in these countries is the primacy of diligence over innate abilities, clearly defined learning goals and objectives, a high culture of accountability and interaction among a wide range of stakeholders.

the Scandinavian countries, traditionally holding strong positions, somewhat lost their advantage. Finland, the leader of the Rating-2012, moved to 5th place; and Sweden dropped from 21st to 24th.

the position of Israel (from 17th to 12th place), Russia (up 7 places to 13th) and Poland (up four places to 10th) has noticeably improved.

developing countries occupy the bottom half of the rankings, with Indonesia at the bottom of the top 40 countries represented, followed by Mexico (39) and Brazil (38).

Let's give a brief description of the 20 leading countries

1. South Korea.

Japan and South Korea compete hard for the 1st place in the ranking. The Koreans defeated Japan in 3rd positions. Japan, despite a solid investment in the primary education of children, lost in the level of thinking and a number of other ranking positions. Did you know that in South Korea, children often go to school seven days a week, seven days a week? The state education budget last year amounted to $ 11,300 million. The literacy rate of the entire population is 97.9%, incl. men - 99.2%, women - 96.6%. GDP per capita in 2014 was $34,795.

1. Japan

The education system is based on high technologies, which provides leadership in the level of knowledge and understanding of problems. GDP - about 5.96 trillion US dollars - is an excellent material base for further development.

1. Singapore

The leader in the level of the primary education system, has a strong position in other indicators, which ensured the 3rd position in the ranking. GDP per capita - $64584, 3rd place in the world.

1. Hong Kong

The schools are mainly represented by the British education system. The state education budget for the last year is $39,420 per capita. Primary, secondary and higher education are of a very high standard. Teaching is conducted in English and Cantonese Chinese. The literacy rate of the population is 94.6%, there is a very good mathematical preparation.

1. Finland

The leader of the rating-2012 has lost its positions, yielding to Asian competitors. Many people continue to regard Finland's education system as the best in the world, even though in fact it is no longer so. A significant drawback of the system is recognized as the late start of studies at the age of 7 years. Education in the country is free, the annual educational budget is 11.1 billion €. GDP per capita - $36395

1. Great Britain

Education issues in the UK are not decided at the level of the kingdom, but at the level of the governments of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. According to the Pearson Index, Britain ranked 2nd in Europe and 6th in the world. At the same time, the Scottish education system received relatively higher marks than the country as a whole. GDP per capita - $ 38711, 21st place in the world.

1. Canada

English and French are the languages ​​of instruction. Literacy rate of at least 99% (both male and female). The level of education is also high. The percentage of college graduates is the highest in the world. Canadians enter college at age 16 (in most provinces) or 18. The academic calendar varies from 180 to 190 days. Results can be even better if investment in primary education is prioritized. GDP per capita - $44656. Canada invests 5.4% of its GDP in the education sector.

1. Netherlands

Low investment, poor planning and management in secondary education have pushed the Netherlands down to 8th in the rankings. GDP per capita - $42,586.

1. Ireland

The literacy rate is 99% for both men and women. Education in the country is free for all levels - from elementary to college/university. Only EU students pay tuition fees and are taxed. The Irish government invests 8.759 million euros in education every year.

1. Poland

The Polish Ministry of Education manages the system in the country. According to the Pearson Index, Poland ranked 4th in Europe and 10th in the world, thanks to the good organization of primary and secondary (basic and complete) education. GDP per capita - $21,118.

1. Denmark

The Danish education system includes preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, as well as adult education. In secondary education, an additional emphasis is placed on a gymnasium, a general training program, a program for entering commercial and technical universities, and vocational education. Similarly, higher education also includes a number of programs. Education is compulsory for children up to 16 years of age. "Folkeskole" or higher education is not compulsory, but 82% of students are trained, which positively characterizes the country's prospects. Denmark's education and human development indexes are among the highest in the world. GDP per capita - $57,998.

1. Germany

Germany is committed to organizing one of the best educational systems in the world. Education is entirely in the hands of the state and therefore has nothing to do with local government. Kindergarten is not compulsory, but secondary education is compulsory. There are five types of schools in the secondary education system. German universities are recognized as some of the best in the world and contribute to the spread of education in Europe. GDP per capita - $41,248.

1. Russia

The country has further reserves to improve its positions if it pays attention to the development of preschool and primary education. The literacy rate is almost 100%. According to a World Bank survey, 54% of the employed population in Russia has a university degree, which is undoubtedly the highest achievement for college-level education in the world. Spending on education topped $20 billion in 2011. GDP per capita - $14645.

Many consider the USA to be a country with a high education rating, however, this is far from being the case. Despite a well-developed and one of the most powerful economies in the world, the US educational system is not even in the top 10. The $1.3 trillion national education budget provides for a literacy rate of 99% (among men and women). Among the 81.5 million students, 38% attend primary school, 26% secondary and 20.5 million higher education. 85% of students graduate from high school, 30% receive a diploma of higher education. All citizens have the right to free primary education. GDP per capita - $54,980 (6th place in the world).

1. Australia

The annual budget for education was 5.10% of GDP - more than $490 million - in 2009. English is the main language of instruction. The level of population with primary education is almost 2 million. Literacy rate 99%. 75% have secondary education, and 34% of the population have higher education. States and communities almost completely control local educational institutions and the payment system. PISA rated the Australian education system in terms of reading, science and math as 6, 7 and 9 in the world. GDP per capita - $44,346.

1. New Zealand

The New Zealand Department of Education spent $13,183 million in the 2014-2015 academic year. English and Maori are the primary languages ​​of instruction. Poor test scores in elementary school are a major barrier to improving rankings. PISA ranks the country 7th in science and reading, and 13th in math. The HDI Education Index is the highest in the world, but it only measures the number of years spent in school, not the level of achievement. GDP per capita - $30493.

1. Israel

The education budget is approximately NIS 28 million. Teaching is conducted in Hebrew and Arabic. The literacy rate among men and women reaches 100%. Primary, secondary and higher education form an integrated system. In the 2012 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development rankings, Israel is listed as the second most educated nation in the world. 78% of the costs are covered by the state. 45% of citizens have secondary or higher education. A low Pearson score is associated with low investment in early childhood and primary education. GDP per capita - $35658.

1. Belgium

The education system in Belgium is heterogeneous and is mainly financed and managed at the state level: Flemish, German-speaking and French. The federal government plays a minor role in funding local educational institutions. Primary education is compulsory. All communities follow the same stages of education: basic, pre-school, primary, secondary, higher, university education and vocational training. According to the UN Education Index, the country ranks 18th. GDP per capita - $38826.

1. Czech

Education is free and compulsory until the age of 15. Education mainly consists of five stages, including pre-school, primary, secondary education, colleges and universities. GDP per capita - $28,086.

1. Switzerland

Educational issues are decided exclusively at the level of the cantons. Primary education is compulsory. 10 out of 12 universities in the confederation are owned and managed by the cantons, two are under federal jurisdiction: they are managed and controlled by the State Secretariat for Education, Science and Innovation. The University of Basel has a glorious centuries-old history: it was founded in 1460 and became famous for its research in the field of medicine and chemistry. Switzerland ranks second after Australia in terms of the number of international students studying in higher education. The country has a relatively high number of Nobel laureates. The country ranks 25th in the world in science, 8th in mathematics. In the Global Competitiveness Ranking, Switzerland ranks 1st. GDP per capita - $47,863 (8th place in the world).

Judging by the information provided, money is an important factor for the development of the education system, but far from being the only one. In all leading countries, education is an integral part of culture and lifestyle:

not only parents and teachers, but also the students themselves are interested in getting an education, because it is highly valued in society and monetized in the process of career growth;

teaching is honored as a career and has a high social status, although pay can be relatively low.

If your children are growing up, and after reading this article you suddenly think about moving to Asia, take a closer look at the country that is much closer - Finland. By the way, Finland was ranked 4th in 2012 in terms of spoken English. Do you want your kids to speak English? Here is a great place for you to study.

What else can you like in school with Finns:

training starts at the age of 7;

homework is not assigned;

no exams until the child is 13;

in classes, students with different levels of ability;

maximum 16 students in math and science classes;

a lot of time for breaks every day;

teachers have a master's degree;

teacher training is paid for by the state.

If the school is already behind, then colleges and universities in Poland offer a good level of education at prices comparable to Ukrainian ones - and an immeasurably better material base. Or the Czech Republic. Or Germany. Or Canada...

And what about Ukraine with its 100% literacy? Will she have time to declare herself in the world rankings? Can it?

There are still chances. But only for this you need to learn how to turn the golden loaves back into the usual equipment of physical and chemical rooms, computer classes and laboratories. And in no case do not allow reverse reactions.

Prepared by Nikolai Zubashenko based on Internet materials

According to data recently released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), more than half of Russian adults have tertiary degrees (2012) - the equivalent of a US college degree - more than in any other country surveyed. At the same time, in 2012, less than 4% of Chinese adults had such qualifications, less than in other countries. 24/7 Wall St. Edition represents the 10 countries with the highest rate of adults holding college degrees.

Typically, the most educated population is in countries where education spending is higher. Education spending in the six most educated countries was above the OECD average of $13,957. For example, the cost of such education in the US is $26,021 per student, the largest in the world.

Despite the magnitude of investment in education, there are exceptions. Korea and the Russian Federation spent less than $10,000 per student in 2011, well below the OECD average. However, they remain among the most educated.

Qualification does not always translate into great skills and abilities. If among American college graduates only 1 in 4 has excellent literacy, then in Finland, Japan and the Netherlands such 35%. As Schleicher explains, “We usually assess people on formal diplomas, but the evidence suggests that the value of formal skill assessment varies widely across countries.”

To identify the most educated countries in the world, "24/7 Wall St." tested in 2012 the 10 countries with the highest number of residents aged 25 to 64 with higher education. The data is part of the 2014 OECD Education at a Glance report. 34 OECD member countries and ten non-member countries were considered. The report included data on the proportion of adults who received different levels of education, unemployment rates, and public and private spending on education. We also reviewed data from the OECD Adult Skills Survey, which included advanced adult skills in math and reading. The most recent education spending figures in countries are for 2011.

Here are the most educated countries in the world:

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 39.7%
• Average annual growth rate (2005-2012): 5.2% (fourth from the top)
• Higher education spending per student: $16,095 (twelfth from the top)

Nearly 40% of Irish adults between the ages of 25 and 64 had a tertiary education in 2012, ranked 10th among countries ranked by the OECD. Significant growth, since more than a decade ago, only 21.6% of adults received some form of higher education. Deteriorating employment chances in recent years have made higher education more attractive to the country's residents. Over 13% of the population was unemployed in 2012, one of the highest rates among the countries surveyed. However, the unemployment rate among college-educated adults was relatively low. The pursuit of higher education is particularly attractive to citizens of EU countries, as their tuition fees are heavily subsidized by Irish government institutions.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 40.6%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 2.9% (13th from the bottom)
• Higher education spending per student: $10,582 (15th from bottom)

The global financial crisis has not had as dramatic an impact on higher education spending in New Zealand as it has elsewhere. While public spending on education in a number of OECD member countries declined between 2008 and 2011, public spending on education in New Zealand rose by more than 20% in the same period, one of the largest increases. But still spending on higher education is low compared to other developed countries. In 2011, $10,582 per student was spent on higher education, less than the OECD average of $13,957. Despite less than average spending, however, spending on all other forms of education accounted for 14.6% of New Zealand's total government spending, more than any other country surveyed.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 41.0%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 4.0% (top 11)
• Higher education spending per student: $14,222 (top 16)

While many national economies, including the US, grew between 2008 and 2011, the United Kingdom's economy contracted over the same period. Despite the recession, public spending on education as a percentage of GDP rose more than in any other country during this period. The United Kingdom is one of the few countries with Schleicher's "sustainable approach to financing higher education". Every student in the country has access to income-proportional loans, which means that as long as the student's income does not exceed a certain threshold, no repayment of the loan is required.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 41.3%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 3.5% (top 15)
• Higher education spending per student: $16,267 (11 top)

Over $16,000 has been spent on higher education per student in Australia, one of the highest levels in the OECD. Australia's higher education system is one of the most popular among students from other countries, it attracts 5% of international students. By comparison, the US, which has many times the number of institutions, only attracts three times as many international students. And, apparently, higher education pays off for those graduates who stay in the country. Unemployment rates among college-educated local residents are lower than in almost all but a handful of countries assessed in 2012. In addition, almost 18% of adults show the highest literacy rate for 2012, well above the OECD average of 12%.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 41.7%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 4.8% (8 from top)
• Higher education spending per student: $9,926(12 from bottom)

Despite spending less than $10,000 per student graduating in 2011—less than anyone else on the list except Russia—Koreans are among the most educated in the world. Although in 2012 only 13.5% of Korean adults aged 55-64 have completed higher education, but among those aged 25-34, two-thirds of them. The 50% level was the largest improvement in a generation of any nation. Nearly 73% of spending on higher education in 2011 came from private sources, the second largest in the world. High levels of private spending lead to rising inequality. However, the growth of educational skills and educational mobility seem to be achieved through relatively objective access to higher education. Koreans were among those most likely to gain access to higher education out of all the countries assessed, according to the OECD.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 43.1%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 1.4% (lowest)
• Higher education spending per student: $26,021(highest)

In 2011, more than $26,000 was spent on tertiary education in the US for the average student, nearly double the OECD average of $13,957. Private spending in the form of tuition fees accounts for most of these costs. To some extent, the cost of higher education pays off because a large proportion of adults in the US are highly skilled. Due to slow growth in the past decade, the United States still lagged behind many states. Whereas spending on higher education per average student between 2005 and 2011 grew by 10% on average across OECD countries, spending in the US declined over the same period. And the US is one of six countries that cut spending on higher education between 2008 and 2011. Like other countries where education is under the jurisdiction of state authorities, higher education acquisition rates vary widely across the US, from 29% in Nevada to nearly 71% in the District of Columbia.

• Percentage of population with higher education: 46.4% %
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): No Data
• Higher education spending per student: $11,553 (top 18)

Most 18-year-old Israelis are required to complete at least two years of compulsory military service. Perhaps as a result of this, residents of the country complete higher education later than in other countries. However, compulsory conscription did not lower the level of higher education, in 2012 46% of adult Israelis had higher education. In the same 2011, more than $11,500 was spent on higher education for the average student, less than in most other developed countries. Low spending on education in Israel results in low teacher salaries. Newly hired high school teachers with minimal training received less than $19,000 in 2013, with an average OECD salary of over $32,000.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 46.6%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 2.8% (12th from the bottom)
• Post-secondary education costs per student: $16,445 (top 10)

As in the United States, Korea, and the United Kingdom, private spending provides the bulk of higher education spending in Japan. While this often results in social inequality, Schleicher explains that, as in most Asian countries, Japanese families for the most part save money for their children's education. Higher education spending and participation in higher education does not always translate into higher academic skills. In Japan, however, high spending led to better outcomes, with more than 23% of adults performing at the highest levels of skill, nearly double the OECD average of 12%. The younger students also seem to be well educated, as recently in 2012 Japan performed extremely well in the International Student Assessment Program in Mathematics.

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 52.6%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): 2.3% (8th from bottom)
• Post-secondary education costs per student: $23,225(top 2)

More than half of Canadian adults in 2012 had a tertiary education, the only country outside of Russia where the majority of adults have some sort of tertiary education. Canadian education spending for the average student in 2011 was $23,226, approaching US spending. Canadian students of all ages appear to be very well educated. High school students outperformed students from most countries in math in 2012 on PISA. And almost 15% of the country's adults demonstrated the highest level of skill – compared to the OECD average of 12%.

1) Russian Federation

• Percentage of population with tertiary education: 53.5%
• Average annual growth rate (2000-2011): no data
• Higher education spending per student: $27,424 (lowest)

More than 53% of Russian adults aged between 25 and 64 had some form of higher education in 2012, more than any other country estimated by the OECD. The country has achieved such a remarkable level of engagement despite having the lowest spending on higher education. Russia's spending on higher education was just $7,424 per student in 2010, almost half of the OECD average of $13,957. In addition, Russia is one of the few countries where spending on education decreased between 2008 and 2012.

In just a couple of decades, the countries of the world will be ruled by today's youth. Their thoughts and actions will depend on what they know and can do. Therefore, the quality of education is one of the best predictors of a country's future success.

Based on U.S. News & World Report, the Times Higher Education Best University Rankings and the latest Education Index - a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) composite indicator calculated as an adult literacy index, we compiled ranking of countries in the world by level of education 2019.

Education Index 2019

Rating	Country	Index
1		0.940
2	Australia	0.929
3	Denmark	0.920
4	Ireland	0.918
5	New Zealand	0.917
6	Norway	0.915
7	Great Britain	0.914
8	Iceland	0.912
9	Netherlands	0.906
10	Finland	0.905
11		0.904
12	USA	0.903
13	Canada	0.899
14	Switzerland	0.897
15	Belgium	0.893
16	Czech	0.893
17	Slovenia	0.886
18	Lithuania	0.879
19	Israel	0.874
20	Estonia	0.869
21	Latvia	0.866
22	Poland	0.866
23	South Korea	0.862
24	Hong Kong	0.855
25	Austria	0.852
26	Japan	0.848
27	Georgia	0.845
28	Palau	0.844
29	France	0.840
30	Belarus	0.838
31	Greece	0.838
32	Russia	0.832
33	Singapore	0.832
34	Slovakia	0.831
35	Liechtenstein	0.827
36	Spain	0.824
37	Malta	0.818
38	Argentina	0.816
39	Hungary	0.815
40	Kazakhstan	0.814
41	Cyprus	0.808
42	Bulgaria	0.805
43	Chile	0.800
44	Ukraine	0.794
45	Luxembourg	0.792
46	Croatia	0.791
47	Italy	0.791
48	Montenegro	0.790
49	Saudi Arabia	0.787
50	Fiji	0.785
51	Cuba	0.780
52	Serbia	0.778
53	Barbados	0.777
54	Tonga	0.770
55	Mongolia	0.766
56	Romania	0.762
57	Portugal	0.759
58	Bahrain	0.758
59	Grenada	0.758
60	Armenia	0.749
61	Sri Lanka	0.749
62	Albania	0.745
63	Iran	0.741
64	Venezuela	0.741
65	United Arab Emirates	0.738
66	Kyrgyzstan	0.735
67	Uruguay	0.733
68	Mauritius	0.729
69	Seychelles	0.727
70	Bahamas	0.726
71	Marshall Islands	0.723
72	Trinidad and Tobago	0.722
73	Costa Rica	0.719
74	Malaysia	0.719
75	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.718
76	Uzbekistan	0.718
77	Andorra	0.714
78	Jordan	0.711
79	Moldova	0.710
80	Azerbaijan	0.709
81	South Africa	0.708
82	Oman	0.706
83	Belize	0.705
84	Brunei	0.704
85	Qatar	0.698
86	Ecuador	0.697
87	Panama	0.692
88	Samoa	0.692
89	Macedonia	0.691
90	Jamaica	0.690
91	Peru	0.689
92	Turkey	0.689
93	Bolivia	0.687
94	Brazil	0.686
95	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0.680
96	Mexico	0.678
97	Antigua and Barbuda	0.676
98	Colombia	0.676
99	Saint Lucia	0.676
100	Algeria	0.664
101	Philippines	0.661
102	Thailand	0.661
103	Palestine	0.660
104	Botswana	0.659
105	Tajikistan	0.659
106	Tunisia	0.659
107	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0.655
108	China	0.644
109	Dominican Republic	0.643
110	Lebanon	0.637
111	Suriname	0.636
112	Paraguay	0.631
113	Gabon	0.628
114	Turkmenistan	0.626
115	Vietnam	0.626
116	Indonesia	0.622
117	Kiribati	0.620
118	Kuwait	0.620
119	Libya	0.616
120	Dominica	0.613
121	Egypt	0.604
122	Guyana	0.596
123	micronesia	0.590
124	Salvador	0.580
125	Zambia	0.580
126	Namibia	0.571
127	Maldives	0.560
128	Ghana	0.558
129	Nicaragua	0.558
130	Zimbabwe	0.558
131	Sao Tome and Principe	0.557
132	India	0.556
133	Cape Verde	0.555
134	Kenya	0.551
135	Cameroon	0.547
136	Iraq	0.534
137	Morocco	0.529
138	Vanuatu	0.529
139	Swaziland	0.528
140	Congo	0.526
141	Uganda	0.525
142	Guatemala	0.514
143	Bangladesh	0.508
144	Togo	0.506
145	Timor Leste	0.505
146	Honduras	0.502
147	Lesotho	0.502
148	Nepal	0.502
149	Angola	0.498
150	Madagascar	0.498
151	Democratic Republic of the Congo	0.496
152	Cambodia	0.487
153	Laos	0.485
154	Nigeria	0.483
155	Comoros	0.473
156	Benin	0.471
157	Solomon islands	0.469
158	Malawi	0.451
159	Rwanda	0.450
160	Butane	0.445
161	Equatorial Guinea	0.443
162	Myanmar	0.443
163	Tanzania	0.441
164	Liberia	0.434
165	Haiti	0.433
166	Papua New Guinea	0.430
167	Burundi	0.424
168	Ivory Coast	0.424
169	Afghanistan	0.415
170	Syria	0.412
171	Pakistan	0.411
172	Guinea-Bissau	0.392
173	Sierra Leone	0.390
174	Mauritania	0.389
175	Mozambique	0.385
176	Gambia	0.372
177	Senegal	0.368
178	Yemen	0.349
179	Central African Republic	0.341
180	Guinea	0.339
181	Sudan	0.328
182	Ethiopia	0.327
183	Djibouti	0.309
184	Chad	0.298
185	South Sudan	0.297
186	Mali	0.293
187	Burkina Faso	0.286
188	Eritrea	0.281
189	Niger	0.214

10 most educated countries in the world

10. Netherlands

For such a small country, having eight universities in the top 100 in the world is an impressive achievement! Prospective students can choose from over 2,000 English-taught university programs and enjoy an interactive and youth-oriented learning style.

Many international students choose to study in the Netherlands and stay in the country after graduation. This is facilitated by various government initiatives. For example, Orientation Year is a graduate employment program.

9. Japan

The Japanese nation is one of the most literate and technologically advanced in the world. This is facilitated by a developed education system, with long established traditions and very strict quality standards. Tokyo and Kyoto Universities are in the top 100.

A good education is a guarantee that a young Japanese will be able to take a worthy place in society. Therefore, the competition for the most prestigious Japanese universities is so great that journalists even came up with the expression “exam hell” for it.

However, the education system in Japan is often criticized for being focused on educating obedient performers who do not contradict the team in any way. This approach inhibits students' ability to think for themselves.

You may have heard of Sweden as a great holiday destination, but this country offers much more than clean air and picturesque Scandinavian landscapes.

The Swedish educational system is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the most progressive in Europe. Teachers encourage creative thinking in students, and there is close cooperation between educational institutions and advanced enterprises in various industries. This allows future specialists to gain valuable practical experience while still students.

The largest university in the country is Stockholm University, which has over 50,000 students. Sofya Kovalevskaya once taught at the Department of Mathematics at this university. The diplomas of this, as well as all other Swedish universities, are highly rated all over the world.

An interesting fact: several Nobel Prize winners (Karl Hjalmar Branting, Nathan Söderblom, Dag Hammarskjöld and others) are graduates of Swedish universities.

7. Switzerland

One of them takes a very responsible approach to the issue of quality and accessibility of education. Therefore, it has many prestigious universities. For example, ETH Zurich is ranked 11th among the best universities in the world.

Swiss educational institutions welcome critical thinking, interactive learning and active discussions.

And during your study break, you can ski in the splendor of the Swiss Alps and enjoy the most delicious chocolate you can find!

6. Australia

The home of kangaroos and koalas boasts six universities in the top 100 best universities in the world according to Times Higher Education. Students have the opportunity to create their own curriculum. It usually includes the study of 4-8 academic disciplines and takes at least 40 hours a week.

Due to the difference in the duration of study in secondary school, Russians cannot enter Australian universities immediately after school. Preliminary it is necessary to unlearn a year at the preparatory courses. They work at most universities in Australia.

5. France

With its breathtaking French Riviera and enchanting Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, the land of the sea is in the top 10 in most 2019 rankings from to. Here are the U.S. experts. News & World Report ranked France in the top 10 best countries to study abroad.

France has a prestigious education system and more than 3,500 institutions of higher education, which is why more and more students are considering this country as a promising place to study.

In 2018, Germany topped the ranking of countries in the Education Index. For comparison: Russia ranked 32 out of 189 in it, located between Greece and Singapore.

The Index measures the achievements of various states in two dimensions:

• Adult Literacy Index.
• An index of the cumulative proportion of people receiving primary, secondary and tertiary education.

The German educational system is distinguished by a large number of universities (250 in total). For foreigners, upon admission, neither special knowledge nor privileges are required. German universities carry out scientific research, which is funded from the federal budget, and from the funds of enterprises and states. Young Germans are provided with an interest-free loan for study, and especially gifted students (and other categories of students) are given scholarships from various funds.

3. Canada

Known for its high quality of life and inclusive values, the country encourages students to be active and inquisitive during their studies. In the classrooms, discussions of a certain topic are held, which may be new for Russian students. And participation in seminars and activity during classes are evaluated and affect the assessment of academic performance.

Practical group projects are often held. For example, students may be asked to prepare a presentation and give it to real business people who will comment on the work and give marks. As a result, with this approach to learning, students receive practical knowledge that will not be a "dead weight".

2. USA

Seven of the ten best universities in the world are located in the United States. It:

1. Stanford University.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
3. California Institute of Technology.
4. Harvard University.
5. Princeton University.
6. Yale university.
7. University of Chicago.

Education in one of them is expensive, but incredibly prestigious, which attracts many students from abroad to America. A year of study costs, on average, $40,000 per year, not including dorms and living expenses. However, private universities often provide financial assistance (scholarships) to foreign students. It allows you to cover up to 70% of the cost of training.

An interesting fact: some US universities allow you to postpone the choice of faculty for 1-2 courses. This allows the student to approach the choice of specialty as thoughtfully as possible. Also, students have the opportunity to make their own schedule, choose subjects, and sometimes teachers.

1. UK

England is considered to be the country with the highest level of education. On its territory are some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe - the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, as well as the Imperial College London.

In the English education system there are no concessions or special difficulties for foreign students. But there are many benefits, including:

• diplomas from English universities are highly rated all over the world;
• a huge selection of training programs;
• the opportunity for foreign students to officially work up to 20 hours a week during training and unlimitedly during vacations;
• the opportunity to make useful contacts with students from different countries and get acquainted with international culture;
• Studying in the UK is cheaper than in the US.

Considering all of the above, one should not be surprised that many children of Russian officials are sent to study in England.