In this article, we will look at the top 20 countries with the best education system in the world and take an overview of the global education trends.
Global Education Trends
Data from UNESCO’s Higher Education Global Data report released in 2022 shows that higher education institutions across the globe had over 235 million enrolled students as of 2020. The number is more than double of the 100 million students that were enrolled in higher education institutions across the globe in 2000. Although the global gross enrollment ratio reached 40% in 2022, it remained at 9% in Sub-Saharan Africa. The number of students enrolled in Northern America and Europe accounted for 40% of the global enrollment rates in 2000, falling to 21% in 2020. However, the number of students in the two regions grew by 24% between 2000 and 2020.
In addition, the number of students enrolled in Central and Southern Asia increased by 286% between 2000 and 2020, going from representing 13% of the global enrollment rates in 2000 to 21% in 2020. Estimates also show that around two-thirds of the global enrollment is in public higher education institutions, while the remaining one-third is in public institutes. As of 2021, the highest rate of enrollment in private higher education institutions is in Latin America and the Caribbean, standing at 54%. On the other hand, the lowest is in Oceania at 15%. In addition to enrollment rates, the number of higher education institutions across the globe is also increasing, with a 52% growth rate estimated between 2006 and 2018 in 55 countries.
According to a report by the Education Policy and Data Center on Global Education Trends, secondary school education attainment is expected to become the norm for younger adults in a majority of countries across the globe by 2025, with Sub-Saharan Africa being the only exception. The percentage of tertiary education attainment in adults is anticipated to remain the highest in Eastern European and OECD countries by 2025. You can also look at 25 Countries with Best Education System in the World.
Differences in Education Systems Between Countries
According to the Insider Monkey Global Education Index, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China rank among the top countries with the best education in the world. The United States spends 5.44% of its GDP on education, while the United Kingdom and China spend 5.33% and 3.30% of their GDP on education as of 2024, respectively. This amounts to a per capita spending of $4371 for the United States, and $2606 and $414 for the United Kingdom and China, respectively. Germany, Australia, Italy, and Japan trail closely behind. On the other hand, Somalia ranks at the lowest end of the index with no universities on the QS ranking. The country spends 0.27% of its GDP on education. South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Burundi follow closely behind Somalia on the index.
Companies Increasing Global Education Accessibility
Flexible learning pathways (FLP) have improved the quality of education across the globe, reducing dropout rates and increasing responsiveness to diverse student needs. According to UNESCO’s Higher Education Global Data report, 55 countries across the 75 reporting data have established a national policy for FLP as of 2022, while 45 have relevant legislations and regulations in place. In addition, remote learning organizations have revolutionized education attainment by offering accessible education-imparting platforms. Some of these platforms include Udemy Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) and Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR).
On June 6, Udemy Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) announced plans to join hands with Amazon Web Services to launch a generative AI upskilling program. Titled Unlocking GenAI Opportunities with AWS, the program will be offered through the Udemy Business Leadership Academy (UBLA). The six-week cohort learning program will help learners get a grasp on GenAI tools and use them to drive digital transformations within their respective organizations. This is what Greg Brown, President and CEO at Udemy, had to say about the partnership:
“GenAI is revolutionizing industries and transforming the business landscape at an unprecedented pace. The UBLA cohort program, developed in collaboration with AWS, will equip leadership teams with the skills they need to navigate this transformation successfully while fostering innovation, enhancing productivity, and driving revenue growth. We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with AWS to support organizations around the world, helping to drive strategic outcomes and inspire their teams to achieve new heights.”
Another remote learning platform offering accessible education is Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR). On June 4, Business Post Nigeria announced the partnership between Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR) and the African Leadership University to steer Africa’s education sector. The partnership aims to teach the continent’s future leaders the necessary skills to survive in a digital economy and increase access to education. Here is what Veda Sunassee, CEO of African Leadership University, had to say about the partnership:
“At ALU, our mission is to shape Africa’s future leaders, and partnerships like this with Coursera play a crucial role in addressing the significant challenges facing education in Africa. By expanding access to world-class education and ensuring that students have the necessary skills to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, we are not only helping them to thrive but also contributing to Africa’s growth and development.”
Now that we have taken an overview of the global education sector and looked into Insider Monkey’s Global Education Index, let us look at the top 20 countries with the best education system in the world. You can also look at 30 Least Educated Countries in the World and 20 Countries that Spend the Most on Education.
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Our Methodology
In order to compile this list of the 20 Countries With the Best Education System in the World, we consulted the Insider Monkey Global Education Index. Our index relies on the number of Top 1,000 QS-ranked universities in each country, the average rank of all ranked universities, and the per capita government spending on education. To view our index methodology which shows all data sources and calculations, you can check out the Insider Monkey Global Education Index.
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Top 20 Countries With the Best Education System in the World
20. United Arab Emirates
Total Number of QS Universities: 11
Average Rank of Top Universities: 522
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,971
The United Arab Emirates ranks 20th on our list of the top 20 countries with the best education system in the world. 11 universities in the region rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024, with an average rank of 522.
19. Poland
Total Number of QS Universities: 12
Average Rank of Top Universities: 752
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,107
12 Polish universities rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024, with their average rank coming up to 752. The country spends 4.94% of its GDP on educational expenses as of 2024.
18. Kazakhstan
Total Number of QS Universities: 13
Average Rank of Top Universities: 691
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $545
Formerly a part of the Soviet Republic, Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country with a per capita government expenditure of $545 on education as of 2024. It ranks in the 18th spot on our list.
17. The Netherlands
Total Number of QS Universities: 13
Average Rank of Top Universities: 168
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $3,172
The Netherlands has a population of 17.7 million as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. The European country ranks 17th on our list and spends 5.14% of its GDP on educational expenses as of 2024.
16. Saudi Arabia
Total Number of QS Universities: 14
Average Rank of Top Universities: 634
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $2,542
Saudi Arabia takes the 16th spot on our list of countries with the best education system in the world. The Saudi government has a per capita expense of $2,542 on education as of 2024.
15. Taiwan
Total Number of QS Universities: 15
Average Rank of Top Universities: 489
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,617
15 Taiwanese universities rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024. The average rank of these 15 universities, when computed by considering their individual ranks in the top 1,000 list, comes up to 489.
14. Malaysia
Total Number of QS Universities: 19
Average Rank of Top Universities: 478
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $457
Malaysia ranks 14th on our list with a per capita government expenditure of $457 on education as of 2024. The country spends 3.51% of its GDP on education expenses as of 2024.
13. France
Total Number of QS Universities: 25
Average Rank of Top Universities: 439
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $2,429
The French government spends 5.25% of its GDP on education expenses, which translates to a per capita expense of $2,429 on education as of 2024. 25 French universities rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024.
12. Russian Federation
Total Number of QS Universities: 26
Average Rank of Top Universities: 582
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $481
With 26 universities ranking among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024, the Russian Federation ranks 12th on our list. Its 26 universities have an average rank of 582.
11. Spain
Total Number of QS Universities: 28
Average Rank of Top Universities: 529
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,517
Spain ranks 11th on our list of the top 20 countries with the best education system in the world. The Spanish government has a per capita expenditure of $1,517 on education as of 2024.
10. Canada
Total Number of QS Universities: 28
Average Rank of Top Universities: 386
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $2,204
28 Canadian universities rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024. The average rank of these 28 universities comes up to 386.
9. India
Total Number of QS Universities: 31
Average Rank of Top Universities: $619
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $121
The Indian government spends 4.64% of its GDP on education expenses, which comes up to a per capita government expenditure of $121 on education as of 2024. India ranks ninth on our list.
8. South Korea
Total Number of QS Universities: 31
Average Rank of Top Universities: 516
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,592
Officially known as the Republic of Korea, South Korea ranks on the eighth spot on our list. The East Asian country has 31 universities that rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024.
7. Japan
Total Number of QS Universities: 32
Average Rank of Top Universities: 549
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,126
Japan ranks seventh on our list of the top 20 countries with the best education system in the world. The country’s per capita government expenditure on education comes up to $1,126 as of 2024.
6. Italy
Total Number of QS Universities: 36
Average Rank of Top Universities: 572
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $1,534
The Italian government spends 4.13% of its GDP on education expenses. This comes up to a per capita government expenditure of $1,534 on education as of 2024.
5. Australia
Total Number of QS Universities: 36
Average Rank of Top Universities: 324
Per Capita Government Expenditure on Education (2024 Estimates): $3,527
36 universities in Australia rank among the top 1,000 universities in the QS World Ranking 2024. The average rank of these 36 universities, when calculated by considering the individual rank of each, comes up to 324.