United Kingdom

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United Kingdom
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In the United Kingdom, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 54.8% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 28.7% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 16.6% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 98.4% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 66.5% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • The United Kingdom hosted 13.4% of worldwide foreign student in 2023. The share of inbound students accounted for 22.7% of all students enrolled domestically (OECD average : 12%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 4.3% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 1.6% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, the United Kingdom allocated an average of 10.3% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 4.7% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 34269 equivalent USD for tertiary education in the United Kingdom (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 15602 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 3.5% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 8.8% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 15.6% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 14.4% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • Women represent 92.5% of pre-primary teaching staff in the United Kingdom (OECD average : 95.9%) and 65.1% in lower secondary education (OECD average : 68.2%).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: United Kingdom | Department for Education | UK National Statistics |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who have attained only pre-primary or primary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (27.9 %, rank 38/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (28.7 %, rank 36/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (54.8 %, rank 5/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (61.2 %, rank 6/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (42.2 %, rank 6/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who have attained a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary qualification is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15 %, rank 25/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a vocational degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15 %, rank 26/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the largest among countries with available data. (34.5 %, rank 7/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the largest among countries with available data. (1.4 %, rank 3/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (57.5 %, rank 6/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (64.7 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in United Kingdom is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (30.1 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in United Kingdom is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (25.7 %, rank 36/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in United Kingdom is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (30 %, rank 36/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in United Kingdom is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (52.4 %, rank 29/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    In United Kingdom, the percentage of first-time entrants into tertiary education younger than 25 is relatively low. (72.5 %, rank 27/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of first-time entrants in master's programmes is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (4.5 %, rank 20/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    The share of female new entrants to bachelor’s programmes in business, administration and law was among the smallest in United Kingdom compared to other countries. (47.1 %, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of female new entrants in services bachelor’s programmes was among the smallest across countries with available data. (26.5 %, rank 28/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of female new entrants to master’s programmes in business, administration and law was among the smallest across countries. (50.5 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.3 %, rank 23/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (48.1 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of information and communication technologies is relatively small. (67.2 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (46.5 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in education in United Kingdom is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (71.8 %, rank 15/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiaryprogrammes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in United Kingdom is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (44.5 %, rank 15/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12.6 %, rank 27/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in United Kingdom is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (58.1 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in information and communication technologies in United Kingdom is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (66.7 %, rank 23/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (64.4 %, rank 12/16 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (52.5 %, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    Enrolment in early childhood education (ISCED 0) among 3- to 5-year-olds placed United Kingdom among the lowest across countries. (66.5 %, rank 32/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of children under age 3 in ECEC (ISCED 01) was one of the lowest across participating countries. (18.8 %, rank 24/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of three-year-olds in early childhood education in United Kingdom is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (98.4 %, rank 4/44 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of four-year-olds in early childhood and primary education in United Kingdom is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (97.7 %, rank 5/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among participating countries, United Kingdom reported one of the smallest shares of female students in upper secondary general programmes. (49.4 %, rank 38/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at all early childhood education level is comparatively high. (64.9 %, rank 7/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively high. (60 %, rank 8/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of five-year-olds in ECEC in United Kingdom is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 41/44 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The average age of graduates from general programmes at the upper secondary level in United Kingdom is relatively low compared to other participating countries. (15.6 Years, rank 41/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time master's graduates is relatively low in United Kingdom. (4.2 %, rank 20/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of first-time graduates in general programmes at upper secondary level is comparatively low. (34.5 %, rank 32/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The average age of bachelor's or equivalent graduates in United Kingdom is among the youngest. (23.1 Years, rank 30/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (49.3 %, rank 41/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (52.1 %, rank 7/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of female first-time master's graduates is relatively small, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.9 %, rank 21/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.5 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.8 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of services is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.2 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of upper secondary vocational graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9 %, rank 32/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is relatively low. (0.6 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    The proportion of female tertiary graduates in education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (7.4 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (54.1 %, rank 26/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (6.9 %, rank 31/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (48.4 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    United Kingdom has a large share of international students graduate from tertiary programmes compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (12.9 %, rank 7/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    United Kingdom has one of the largest proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among OECD and partner countries with available data. (22.7 %, rank 4/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of worldwide foreign and international students is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.4 %, rank 3/46 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of international and foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.2 %, rank 7/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of international graduates among bachelor's first-time graduates is relatively high. (17.4 %, rank 5/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of international graduates among first-time master's graduates is relatively high. (65.3 %, rank 3/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (45.9 %, rank 6/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.1 %, rank 8/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.2 %, rank 3/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    In United Kingdom, the share of international and foreign students among all students in the field of services is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of students enrolled in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary among all international or foreign tertiary students is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0.5 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (34269 USD Equivalent, rank 2/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (28081 USD Equivalent, rank 2/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (30613 USD Equivalent, rank 2/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary general education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17753 USD Equivalent, rank 9/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In United Kingdom, government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP at primary to tertiary levels of education is comparatively high. (4.7 %, rank 9/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies. (6 %, rank 3/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (1.8 %, rank 4/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, expenditure on secondary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2.2 %, rank 6/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, expenditure on tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2 %, rank 3/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively low. (0.4 %, rank 41/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, private expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (2.1 %, rank 1/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The proportion of private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds for primary to tertiary education is comparatively high in United Kingdom. (1.6 %, rank 2/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government and private expenditure in education

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (75.5 %, rank 1/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    United Kingdom has one of the largest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (35.1 %, rank 1/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively small. (85 %, rank 32/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for tertiary education is comparatively small in United Kingdom. (21.8 %, rank 36/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively small. (64 %, rank 36/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The percentage of secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (26.1 %, rank 35/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in pre-primary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (92.5 %, rank 35/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.7 %, rank 39/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (17.2 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of lower secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (20.6 %, rank 37/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers older than 50 is especially low. (22.4 %, rank 37/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of teachers aged 50 or more in pre-primary education is especially low in United Kingdom (20.9 %, rank 33/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In upper secondary education, the percentage of teachers aged 50 or more is particularly low in United Kingdom. (20.5 %, rank 34/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    Between 2015 and 2024, United Kingdom reported a decrease in the number of full-time equivalent classroom teachers. (87 Index, rank 39/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of pupils per teacher in pre-primary schools is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (33.2 Ratio, rank 1/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The number of students per teacher in primary schools is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner countries with available data. (19.5 Ratio, rank 5/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level is especially high. (17 Ratio, rank 8/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the ratio of children to contact staff in pre-primary education is one of the lowest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.4 Ratio, rank 26/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the number of students per teacher in private institutions tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (13.6 Ratio, rank 28/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the number of students per teacher in government-dependent private institutions tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (13.6 Ratio, rank 14/17 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom the ratio of children to contact staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest compared to the other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.8 Ratio, rank 15/17 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    Classes are particularly large in primary schools. (26 Students, rank 3/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in public primary institutions are comparatively large in United Kingdom. (27 Students, rank 2/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in private primary institutions are comparatively large in United Kingdom. (25 Students, rank 5/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in lower secondary public institutions are comparatively large in United Kingdom. (25 Students, rank 9/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in lower secondary private institutions are comparatively large in United Kingdom. (23 Students, rank 9/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In independent private institutions at primary education level, the average class size is relatively small in United Kingdom among OECD and other partner countries with available data. (12 Students, rank 22/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In independent private institutions at lower secondary level, the average class size is relatively small in United Kingdom among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12 Students, rank 22/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (89.9 %, rank 28/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively high in United Kingdom. (90.9 %, rank 7/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (82.4 %, rank 2/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (81.2 %, rank 28/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively low. (8.8 %, rank 30/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (5.1 %, rank 33/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (3.2 %, rank 30/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (4.2 %, rank 32/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in United Kingdom. (8.3 %, rank 30/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in United Kingdom. (9.5 %, rank 27/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.1 %, rank 31/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in United Kingdom. (3.3 %, rank 32/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is low in United Kingdom. (5.8 %, rank 34/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (14 %, rank 32/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (5.5 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In United Kingdom, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (19.5 %, rank 31/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is relatively low. (3.4 %, rank 35/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (135 Index, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of foreign-born aged between 25 and 64 who work full- and part-time with a short cycle tertiary education are comparatively low. (112.7 %, rank 17/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a master's, doctoral or equivalent education degree are comparatively low. (158.4 %, rank 19/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds full- and part-time with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively low in United Kingdom. (70.2 %, rank 28/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively low in United Kingdom. (72.2 %, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a master's or doctoral or equivalent education degree is comparatively small. (18 %, rank 22/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is comparatively small. (5.4 %, rank 19/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers without an upper secondary education earning at or below half the overall median in United Kingdom is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (18 Index, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education earning at or below half the overall median in United Kingdom is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (13 Index, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the relative earnings for 45-54 year-old workers with below upper secondary attainment are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment (74 Index, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the relative earnings for 45-54 year-old workers with tertiary attainment are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment (128 Index, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in United Kingdom, the proportion earning between 1.5 and 2 times the median is comparatively low. (6 Index, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with tertiary education in United Kingdom, the proportion earning between 1.5 and 2 times the median is comparatively low. (13 Index, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    The earnings of men without an upper secondary education are relatively low compared to those of men with an upper secondary education. (71 Index, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The earnings of women without an upper secondary education are relatively low compared to those of women with an upper secondary education. (72 Index, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education and those with upper secondary education is quite marginal. (133 Index, rank 25/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds without an upper secondary education with income from employment) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (74.1 %, rank 23/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary education or post-secondary non-tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (72.6 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the highest among countries with available data. (81.7 %, rank 9/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among full- and part-time 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (57.4 %, rank 27/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (full- and part-time workers) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (58.4 %, rank 30/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary education or post-secondary non-tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the low among countries with available data. (77 %, rank 25/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In United Kingdom, the proportion of young women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds with tertiary education working full-time full-year), is relatively low compared to OECD and other members with available data (81.8 %, rank 20/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds without an upper secondary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (70.3 %, rank 24/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (76.8 %, rank 16/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (70.7 %, rank 18/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (67 %, rank 20/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (68 %, rank 18/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (72.5 %, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of inactive youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in United Kingdom is one of the largest among countries with available data. (9.8 %, rank 10/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of men with tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in United Kingdom is relatively low. (4.9 %, rank 28/33 , 2025) Download Indicator


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    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
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            Diagram of funding flows - United Kingdom
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
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            Country Reviews for United Kingdom
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			
            Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. 
			However, OECD averages from Education at a Glance coming from the OECD database are the averages for the indicator reference year appearing in the Education GPS and may differ from averages in the book where averages can include data from multiple reference years, based on countries' data availability.
			

    
			To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026 in the Northern Hemisphere.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Sources Methodologies and Technical Notes 
		of EAG 2025 for more details about the data collections.
		

    
        For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.