With spiking tuition costs, insurmountable loan balances, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates at double digit it’s clear that a university education doesn’t receive the best of praise, particularly in developed countries.
But despite the ongoing financial woes across the globe many think that college is still worth the investment. A new study from The Wall Street Journal shows that students continue to flock to institutions of higher learning, enrolling at record rates over the past few years. Not surprisingly, the percentage of adults with degrees soared highest in developed nations, reaching 30% in 2010. But which of these nations can boast the status of most educated?
Based on a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), The Wall Street Journal compiled a list of the 10 countries with the highest proportion of college-educated adult residents.
Topping the charts is Canada, the only nation in the world where more than half its residents can proudly hang college degrees up on their walls. In 2010, 51% of the population had completed a tertiary education, which takes into account both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Canada commanded the top spot in the last study in 2000, but even still has shown serious improvement. A decade ago, only 40% of the nation’s population had a college degree.
Snagging the number two most-educated spot was Israel, which trailed Canada by 5%. Japan, the U.S., New Zealand and South Korea all ranked with more than 40% of citizens having a higher-education degree. The top 10 most-educated countries are:
1. Canada
2. Israel
3. Japan
4. United States
5. New Zealand
6. South Korea
7. United Kingdom
8. Finland
9. Australia
10. Ireland
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesWell we do get to the famous 7th, position,
Sep 14th, 2013 - 03:42 pm 0But we could do a lot better if we tried…
This list may be a bit deceiving for Americans given the reputation of US college qualifications internationally being not that great.
Sep 14th, 2013 - 04:57 pm 0It depends on what is meant by educated: what does one do with it. Possession of information or theoretical skills isn't the same as acting upon it.
Sep 15th, 2013 - 09:30 am 0First-Class degrees and Post-Graduate versus how good are you at your job or profession later.
Conversely, education isn't just about a job.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!