According to the most recent report from the OECD, the United States of America falls behind many other developed countries in terms of educational attainment. In 2018, it was revealed that only 38% of American adults have a tertiary degree or greater. This puts the US in 27th place out of 34 OECD nations when it comes to levels of educational attainment.

Norway takes first place with a whopping 73% of its population having attained tertiary education level or higher. Other top performers include Finland (69%), Denmark (68%), Sweden (67%) and Canada (66%). The rankings are based on data from 2016, which means that they will likely change as more recent reports become available.

There are a number of factors that can impact levels of educational attainment across different countries. These include public investment in education, wealth inequality, parental choice in schooling and worker skills demand.

Here are the 10 Most Educated Countries

10. Luxembourg

Luxembourg’s education system is multilingual. Most schools therefore are public institutions. In addition to the public education system, the Grand Duchy also has a number of private and international schools. Schooling is required beginning at the age of 4 to 16 years.

Educated Adult:  42.86 percent

9. Norway

Norwegian educational framework can be divided into three levels: elementary school, lower secondary school, and upper secondary school. Education became mandatory in Norway at the age of 7 in 1997.

Educated Adult:  43.02 percent

8. Finland

Education in Finland is an education system with fully subsidized meals provided to full-time pupils. The present education system in Finland includes baby-and-toddler daycare programs (for infants and toddlers) and a pre-school (or kindergarten for six-year-olds); A compulsory nine-year adolescent Basic School (starting at age seven and ending at age Sixteen); Post-compulsory secondary general academic and vocational edification; greater edification (university and University of applied sciences); and adult edification (lifelong, continuing).

Educated Adult:  43.60 percent

7. Australia

School education is the same as in Australia with a few minor variations between states and territories. Education (primary and secondary) is mandatory for ages six to sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10). Education consists of the duration of 13 years and is divided into primary school, which runs for seven or eight years., It all starts in Kindergarten Preparatory and lasts until Year 6 or 7. In Secondary School, it runs for 3 to 4 years, from Year 7 to 10 or 8 to 10. Senior Secondary School has a two-year run, from Year 11 to 12.

Educated Adult:  43.74 percent

6. United States

Technology has changed the structure of education in the United States. Public, private, and homeschooled schools deliver education. Most state governments mandate nationally standardized examinations for their K-12 public school systems and ensure that state colleges and universities are run by state boards.

Educated Adult:  45.67 percent

5. United Kingdom

The educational system in England involves compulsory elementary and secondary education from the age of 5. It has three “publication stages” that break down as follows: “Key Stage 1” 5 to 7 years old.

Educated Adult:   45.96 percent

4. South Korea

University students come in different ways and abilities than their predecessors. Extensive help is provided by families to help the younger generation succeed permanently. At evaluation times, offices are even open for a short while due to this fact. A student who passes through possesses a world-class qualification that is particularly noteworthy, and for which he or she should be particularly proud. South Korea — a living testament to a nation’s developed economy based on knowledge.

Educated Adult:  46.86 percent

3. Israel

Israel’s education system encompasses the three tiers of primary education, middle school, and high school. Mandatory education spans from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Educated Adult:  49.90 percent

2. Japan

Kids who have not reached the age of 6 by April 1 of the year enter first grade in that year. The school year starts in April and ends in March. For Japanese nationals, nine years at elementary school and three years of junior high school total (11 years) are required.

Educated Adult:  50.50 percent

1. Canada

Canadian children attend kindergarten for one or two years after the age of five on a voluntary basis. Preschool students are generally in grade school for about six years. Students in secondary or post-secondary education typically remain in Grade 11 or 12, depending on their province. From there, they may go on to university, college, or a community college program.

Educated Adult:   56.27 percent