THE 17 COUNTRIES WITH THE BEST EDUCATION IN THE WORLD - ECONOMÍA - 2025

The countries with the best education in the world are one of the most striking rankings always due to their importance at a social level. Good politics is the foundation of every teaching civilization and can determine the present and future of a nation, as well as the quality of life of its citizens.

Have you ever wondered which are the countries with the best education? This is no longer a mystery thanks to the PISA reports (Report of the International Program for Student Assessment) that perform an analysis of student performance based on exams every three years and is produced by the OECD.

Below we show you the countries that have had the best scores according to the latest reports published in 2012, where many European countries, some Asian and to a lesser extent North American and oceanic countries, could be highlighted.

For the moment, Latin American countries are outside these ranges, with many reforms being necessary to improve the system.

What is the order that has been followed?

This list of the best educational systems is not official. We have used the PISA reports for 2009 and 2012 to order them according to the average of the 3 areas that have been assessed with them: reading, mathematics and science.

On the other hand, only those education systems whose average has been higher have been chosen among the 34 OECD countries.

Ranking of countries with the best educational system

1- South Korea

The number 1 position is hotly contested between Japan and South Korea as both systems stand out both globally and by performance levels.

We have finally decided to place the Korean country in the number 1 position since it scores 554 in mathematics, an average higher than the OECD average (494), according to the last PISA report carried out in 2012.

In reading he obtained a 536 and in science a 538. Only in 60 years has he managed to combat and almost completely eliminate the illiteracy that existed in the country. They are characterized by understanding education as an engine for the development of the country.

Education is free and compulsory from the age of 7 to 15 years. As in other countries, there is a selectivity to enter university. The state dedicates 7% of its GDP to education and also teachers are highly respected. Finally, it is worth noting that it is committed to technology in the classrooms.

2- Japan

Japan, like countries such as Finland or South Korea, also presents excellent levels in the areas that are evaluated by the PISA reports, being 534 in mathematics, 538 in reading and 547 in science. The educational structure based on the technology has provided you with great figures in knowledge and understanding.

Among the most important characteristics of this educational system we find that it has an egalitarian curriculum established for the entire national level.

In addition, the legislation regarding education (unlike other countries such as Spain) is stable over time. The effort made by the students is essential since there is high competitiveness and education is not only left to the school but it is everyone's job.

As in Korea, teachers are highly qualified to do the job and are highly respected by society. On the other hand, at school you not only study but also perform other tasks such as cleaning or serving meals.

3- Finland

It is an educational system recognized worldwide for its high efficiency and effectiveness. However, in recent reports, PISA has been declining positions compared to others such as Korean or Japanese.

According to the 2012 PISA report, the scores presented in the different areas evaluated are: 519 in mathematics, 524 in reading, 545 in science. The main characteristics of this educational system are, among others, that the teaching staff is a highly valued professional.

As in most OECD countries, education is free and accessible throughout the world. In addition, it is customizable depending on the qualities that the student presents, giving importance to the children, in addition to playing, having adequate rest.

There are also no exams until the age of 11 and curiosity and participation are rewarded.

4- Estonia

The Estonian education system ranks among the top performers in science with a score of 541. It also stands out in reading with a 516 and in mathematics with a score of 521 according to the 2012 PISA report.

Education is compulsory in this country from 7 years of age to 17. The objective of this educational system is to promote learning for anyone and throughout life.

They tend to be concerned that teachers are competent and motivated by their work. In addition, it attaches importance to digital learning and equal opportunities in lifelong learning.

5- Canada

The scores that the Canadian educational system has for the areas evaluated in the last published PISA report are: mathematics with a 518, reading with 523 and science with 525. As we can see they are also very high values, so their students have high performance in these fields.

Among the main characteristics of this educational system we find that it is compulsory and free until the age of 16. Furthermore, there is no national educational system, but each province and territory has its own.

Unlike other countries, they don't spend a lot of money on education. According to the OECD, around 5.5% of GDP. Its centers are bilingual in French and English and importance is given to emotional and social education.

6- Poland

Eighth position in mathematics with a score of 518, sixth position in the reading area with the same number and fifth place in science with a value of 526.

Education is free and compulsory from 6 to 18 years old, giving 15-year-old students the opportunity to choose the itinerary they want to follow. The curriculum focuses on the study of language, mathematics and science.

In addition, teachers are free to develop their teaching style and fewer class hours are taught compared to educational systems in other countries.

7- Switzerland

The Swiss education system has a score in the area of ​​mathematics of 531, while in the area of ​​reading its value is 509 and in science it is 515.

It is characterized because, as in other countries, education is different depending on the place where it is studied. However, the constitution of this country makes early childhood education compulsory and free regardless of where in Switzerland you want to study. Finally, note that the minimum age to access the mandatory system is six years.

8- Netherlands

According to the 2012 PISA report, the scores for this educational system are 523 in mathematics, 511 in reading, and 522 in science. That is, 6th place in math, 12th in science, and 13th in reading ability.

Education in the Netherlands pays special attention to the training and needs of its students. There are three types of schools: public, special and general; although these are free, they can ask parents for money.

9- Ireland

The Irish education system has scored 501 in mathematics, 523 in reading and 522 in science. Like previously developed countries, they are well above the average for OECD countries in these areas.

Education is compulsory from six to 15 years of age. The class ratio is 17 students, a much lower number than the Spanish for example (25). It consists of three types of universities: the technological institutes, the educational ones and the universities themselves. As in all the educational systems that we have described, education is free.

10- Germany

The German education system is also above the average of all those belonging to the OECD, with scores in mathematics of 514, in reading of 508 and in science of 524.

It is characterized by being compulsory from six years of age, when children enter the primary stage. When they finish primary school, they have to choose between the different institutes that exist depending on what they want to study later.

11- Australia

This educational system scores 504 in the area of ​​mathematics, while in the area of ​​reading its value is 512 and in science it is 521. All values ​​are above the average of the OECD countries.

Something that differentiates the Australian educational system from all the others is that it understands the school as a learning community in which all educational agents have an important role in the education of children. On the other hand, its mandatory tranche is 15 years.

12- Belgium

In the area of ​​mathematics it has a score of 515, in reading a 509 while in science it scores with a 505, being the last to be above the average of the OECD countries in this area.

In Belgium, each community has a different education due to the different languages ​​spoken (Flemish, French, German). Up to 18 years of age education is compulsory and schools are run by the government and private organizations. Finally, add that both private and public schools are free.

13- New Zealand

The oceanic country has a score of 500 in the area of ​​mathematics, a 512 in the area of ​​reading and a 516 in the area of ​​science.

Among the main characteristics of this educational system we find that, although there is a curriculum that must be applied at the national level, teachers have flexibility to apply it in the way they see fit. On the other hand, innovation and creativity of students is also promoted in classrooms.

In addition, the investment that this country makes in education is very high, at 7.3% of its GDP. Finally, it should be added that in addition to betting on new technologies, families participate in the management of schools.

14- United Kingdom

The results of the PISA report for this educational system were in the area of ​​mathematics 494, reading 499 and science 514. Although its average is a little lower than the OECD average, it has many aspects to highlight and that do not go unnoticed.

It is committed to creativity, autonomy and interactivity, which is why it is very common to find that these students carry out research work. In addition, in high school there is also freedom of choice of subjects.

It is one of the countries that allocates the most money to education, being above the average for the European Union, reaching 6.15% of GDP in 2010.

15- France

The French educational system scores 495 in the area of ​​mathematics, 505 in reading and finally 499 in science; this last area being below the average of the countries belonging to the OECD.

Some of the characteristics of this educational system is that, like others, children enter the primary stage between the ages of 6 to 11 years. This is free and public. Once they finish it, they can continue in different institutes depending on what they want to do later if they work or continue studying.

16- Norway

Following the 2012 PISA report, the Norwegian education system scores 489 in mathematics, a high score on average compared to the rest of the EU countries, but lower than among those belonging to the OECD. On the other hand, it scores a 504 in reading and a 495 in science.

This educational system is made up of primary, secondary and tertiary education. Classes are taught in the Norwegian language and are free. All the children of this are required to complete both the primary and lower secondary stages.

17- United States

The United States education system scores 481 in mathematics, 498 in reading and 497 in science. Although in two of its areas it is below the OECD average, we wanted to add it to this list.

Unlike other countries, this educational system is largely excluded from the public and is funded by all three levels of government: federal, local, and state. Children attend public schools from elementary to high school.

Those who want to go to college, which they have to pay out of pocket since scholarships are hard to come by. However, the quality of these centers is light years ahead of the rest of the world.