Canada is the most educated country in the world, with about 60% of adults aged 25 to 64 holding a tertiary qualification. South Korea ranks a close second, followed by Japan, Ireland, Luxembourg, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Finland, and Norway.
Introduction
When people ask which countries are the "most educated," the clearest and most widely used measure is the share of adults who have completed some form of tertiary education — a university degree, college diploma, or equivalent post-secondary qualification. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tracks this figure across its member states, making it possible to compare nations on a consistent basis.
By this measure, a handful of wealthy economies stand out, and two in particular — Canada and South Korea — consistently trade places at the top. This guide ranks the ten most educated countries and explains what drives their remarkable attainment rates.
The 10 Most Educated Countries
Ranked by share of adults with tertiary education
- Canada: Around 60% of adults aged 25 to 64 hold a tertiary qualification, the highest share among OECD countries. Canada's figure is boosted by its large college and polytechnic sector, which awards diplomas alongside university degrees, and by a highly educated immigrant population.
- South Korea: Roughly 50% of working-age adults are tertiary-educated, and among younger Koreans aged 25 to 34 the rate exceeds 70% — the highest of any age group in the world. South Korea's rise reflects decades of intense investment in schooling and a fiercely competitive university-entrance culture.
- Japan: About 55% of younger adults hold a degree, and overall attainment sits near the top of the OECD. Japan's universities and technical colleges feed a workforce known for high skill levels in engineering and manufacturing.
- Ireland: Ireland has climbed rapidly, with well over half of younger adults now tertiary-educated. Its highly qualified workforce has helped attract global technology and pharmaceutical firms to Dublin and beyond.
- Luxembourg: This small, wealthy nation posts among the highest attainment rates in Europe, partly because its economy is built around finance and international institutions that demand advanced qualifications.
- United States: Around half of American adults hold a tertiary qualification. The US has one of the world's largest and most influential university systems, though high tuition costs remain a barrier for many.
- United Kingdom: Roughly half of younger adults are university-educated, driven by a large expansion of higher education since the 1990s and world-renowned institutions.
- Australia: Close to half of working-age adults are tertiary-educated, supported by a strong university sector and a large international-student intake that reflects the system's global reputation.
- Finland: Famous for its school system, Finland also has high tertiary attainment, with free university tuition and a strong emphasis on lifelong learning.
- Norway: Around half of adults hold a degree, backed by generous public funding, free tuition at public universities, and strong student-support systems.
Canada and South Korea lead the world, but they arrive at the top by different routes. Canada's edge comes from counting a broad range of post-secondary credentials, including two-year college diplomas, and from immigration policies that favour skilled, educated newcomers. South Korea's strength is generational: its younger population is educated at rates seen nowhere else, even if older Koreans are less likely to hold degrees.
What Drives High Educational Attainment
Several forces push these countries to the top. Public investment matters enormously — the Nordic nations offer free or heavily subsidised university tuition, removing cost as a barrier. Cultural expectations also play a role, especially in East Asia, where academic success is tied closely to social mobility and family aspiration.
Immigration is another factor. Countries like Canada and Australia actively recruit skilled migrants, many of whom already hold degrees, which lifts national attainment figures. Finally, how a country defines "tertiary education" affects the numbers: nations that count vocational diplomas and shorter college programmes tend to score higher than those that count only university degrees.
It is worth noting that attainment is not the same as quality. A high share of graduates says how many people have qualifications, not how good those qualifications are. Measures like international test scores, research output, and university rankings tell a complementary but different story.
Common Questions
Which country is the most educated in the world?
Canada is generally ranked the most educated country, with roughly 60% of adults aged 25 to 64 holding a tertiary qualification — the highest share among OECD nations. South Korea ranks a very close second, and it leads the world among younger adults.
Why does Canada rank so highly?
Canada's high ranking reflects its broad post-secondary system, which awards college diplomas as well as university degrees, plus an immigration policy that favours skilled and educated newcomers. Both factors lift the overall share of adults with tertiary credentials.
Is the United States the most educated country?
No. While the United States has one of the world's largest university systems and about half of adults hold a degree, it ranks behind Canada, South Korea, and several others on the share of adults with tertiary education.