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Iceland
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Iceland
Overview of the education system (EAG 2023)
  • In Iceland, the total compulsory instruction time over the course of primary and lower secondary education is lower than the OECD average, at 7 616 hours, distributed over 10 grades.
  • In Iceland, 53% of 15-19 year-olds are enrolled in general upper secondary education and 11% in vocational upper secondary education. A further 20% are enrolled in lower secondary programmes and 4% in tertiary programmes. This compares to an OECD average of 37% enrolled in general upper secondary programmes, 23% in vocational upper secondary programmes, 12% in lower secondary programmes and 12% in tertiary programmes.
  • In Iceland,15% of 25-34 year-olds have a vocational education and training (VET) qualification as their highest level of attainment: 12% at upper secondary level, 3% at post-secondary non-tertiary level.
  • Although an upper secondary qualification is often the minimum attainment needed for successful labour-market participation,23% of 25-34 year-olds in Iceland have not attained an upper secondary qualification, higher than the OECD average (14%).
  • Across all levels from primary to tertiary education, Iceland spends USD 15 444 annually per full-time equivalent student (adjusted for purchasing power and including expenditure on research and development), compared to the OECD average of USD 12 647. Expenditure per student is equivalent to 28% of per capita GDP, which is slightly above the OECD average of 27%.
    • | Education at a Glance 2023 | Country Note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2023 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Iceland | Mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytið (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture) | Hagstofa Íslands (Statistics Iceland) |
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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. (0.3 %, rank 41/43 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    Iceland has one of the smallest share of women among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education. (33 %, rank 34/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Iceland has one of the smallest share of women among 55-64 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education. (36.6 %, rank 34/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Attainment by field of education

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (10.4 %, rank 28/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (18.7 %, rank 29/29 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    The share of women among tertiary education new entrants is one of the largest compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (62.1 %, rank 1/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering bachelor's programmes in Iceland is relatively large. (61.8 %, rank 1/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in Iceland is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (60.6 %, rank 2/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes younger than 25 is relatively low. (23 %, rank 31/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The average age of new entrants in tertiary education in Iceland is comparatively old. (23.7 Years, rank 5/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The proportion of women among the new entrants in master's programmes in Iceland is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (69.1 %, rank 2/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of first-time entrants in master's programmes is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (1 %, rank 23/24 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    In Iceland,the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of education is relatively small. (0 %, rank 35/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of information and communication technologies is relatively small. (33.3 %, rank 35/35 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland,the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively small. (41.7 %, rank 38/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (27.3 %, rank 35/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (8.8 %, rank 37/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (61.1 %, rank 38/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (60.1 %, rank 38/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (47.5 %, rank 37/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (59.4 %, rank 37/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in health and welfare in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (16.6 %, rank 38/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (54.5 %, rank 37/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (51 %, rank 31/32 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in health and welfare in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (3.1 %, rank 29/29 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in information and communication technologies in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (61.5 %, rank 27/28 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Iceland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (54.7 %, rank 31/32 , 2021) 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. (14.3 %, rank 30/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The percentage of students in independent private tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 33/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of female students enrolled in upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (35.6 %, rank 40/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the enrolment rate of children under 3 is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (48.8 %, rank 5/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of students enrolled in programmes providing full completion and access to tertiary education among all students enrolled in upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 38/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 18 in general upper secondary programmes in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (72.5 %, rank 3/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 19 in general upper secondary programmes in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (35.5 %, rank 2/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 20 in general upper secondary programmes in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15.7 %, rank 1/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The average age of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes in Iceland is relatively high compared to the other countries. (26.3 %, rank 5/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of upper secondary students enrolled in programmes giving full level completion without access to tertiary education in Iceland is relatively high compared to the other countries. (82.4 %, rank 3/28 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The average age of post-secondary non-tertiary students enrolled in vocational programmes in Iceland is among the highest. (34.5 %, rank 5/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of post-secondary non-tertiary students enrolled in programmes giving partial completion or insufficient for completion is relatively large compared to other OECD or partner contries. (0 %, rank 3/3 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of post-secondary non-tertiary students enrolled in programmes giving full level completion without access to tertiary education is relatively small compared to other OECD or partner contries. (94.8 %, rank 10/14 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Students enrolled in programmes providing full completion and access to tertiary education among all students enrolled in post-secondary non-tertiary vocational programmes are proportionally less in Iceland than in the other countries. (5.2 %, rank 18/20 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (43.9 %, rank 33/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (36.2 %, rank 2/35 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Iceland has a share of short-cycle tertiary students enrolled in programmes giving partial completion or being insufficient for completion that is comparatively higher than other OECD and partner countries. (24.3 %, rank 1/4 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Iceland has a share of short-cycle tertiary students enrolled in programmes giving full level completion with access to tertiary education that is lower than other OECD and partner countries; (75.7 %, rank 32/32 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (0 %, rank 8/9 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of below-two year-olds in other registered ECEC services in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.1 %, rank 2/7 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary general programmes in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (53.5 %, rank 5/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of two-year-olds in early childhood education in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (94.3 %, rank 1/80 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of two-year-olds in other registered ECEC services in Iceland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 7/7 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 20-24 in upper secondary programmes in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15.7 %, rank 1/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 20-24 in upper secondary general programmes in Iceland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.6 %, rank 2/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of three-year-olds in other registered ECEC services in Iceland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 6/7 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of female students enrolled in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (28.2 %, rank 28/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The average age of graduates from general programmes at the upper secondary level in Iceland is comparatively high. (20.6 Years, rank 4/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at upper secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17.4 %, rank 34/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of first-time short-cycle tertiary graduates younger than 30 is relatively low. (46.6 %, rank 27/29 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of first-time master's graduates younger than 35 is relatively low. (63.5 %, rank 30/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of long first degree master's graduates in public institutions is relatively high in Iceland. (100 %, rank 1/25 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of first-time short-cycle graduates is relatively low in Iceland. (2.2 %, rank 24/28 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time master's graduates is relatively low in Iceland. (0.3 %, rank 25/26 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at post-secondary non-tertiary level is comparatively small. (77.3 %, rank 24/25 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The average age of short-cycle tertiary graduates in Iceland is among the oldest. (33.3 Years, rank 3/26 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (33.7 %, rank 39/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Among OECD and partner countries with available data, Iceland has one of the largest shares of women graduates from tertiary programmes. (63.8 %, rank 2/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates among post-secondary non-tertiary graduates from vocational programmes in Iceland is relatively low. (28.2 %, rank 26/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female first-time graduates in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (39.7 %, rank 26/28 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female first-time bachelor's graduates is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (64.3 %, rank 2/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female first-time master's graduates is relatively largest, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (75 %, rank 1/25 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of business, administration and law in Iceland is relatively small. (3.6 %, rank 41/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Iceland is relatively large. (39.8 %, rank 1/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of upper secondary vocational graduates in the field of business, aministration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1 %, rank 36/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of upper secondary vocational graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (56.7 %, rank 1/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of business, aministration and law is relatively low. (8.3 %, rank 21/25 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively low. (0 %, rank 23/25 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3 %, rank 35/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of STEM is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (58.5 %, rank 1/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of short-cycle tertiary vocational graduates in the field of STEM is relatively low compared to other OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (4.1 %, rank 34/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of short-cycle tertiary vocational graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively low compared to other OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (0 %, rank 34/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of short-cycle tertiary vocational graduates in the field of services is relatively high compared to other OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (58.9 %, rank 1/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    In Iceland, the share of female doctoral graduates in the field of business, administration and law is relatively high. (66.7 %, rank 1/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female doctoral graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively high. (50 %, rank 1/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.8 %, rank 3/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of male tertiary graduates in the field of education is relatively high in Iceland. (9.9 %, rank 3/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of male tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively large. (14.8 %, rank 3/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is relatively small. (56.4 %, rank 23/26 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field health and welfare is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries. (92.6 %, rank 3/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in all fields is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (68 %, rank 1/45 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (42.8 %, rank 1/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (41.3 %, rank 1/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of health and welfare is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (84.6 %, rank 3/44 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    (60 %, rank 21/23 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (40.3 %, rank 18/19 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (64.5 %, rank 20/23 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (68.6 %, rank 20/21 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (51.3 %, rank 18/18 , 2021) Download Indicator

    (72.6 %, rank 20/21 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of engineering, manunfacturing and construction among all national tertiary students in Iceland is relatively low. (8.9 %, rank 34/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of business, administration and law is relatively small. (3.3 %, rank 29/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (0 %, rank 35/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (1.4 %, rank 36/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (8.5 %, rank 35/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is relatively high, compared to other countries with available data. (6.3 %, rank 5/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is relatively high. (28.2 %, rank 4/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively high, compared to other countries with available data. (16.9 %, rank 5/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of new entrants in Information and communication tecnologies master's programmes is one of the lowest, compared to other countries with available data. (1.5 %, rank 34/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of new entrants in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary master's programmes is especially low. (0.3 %, rank 38/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    In Iceland, international or foreign students from North America are most represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (14 %, rank 4/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of new international entrants in master's long first degree (LFD) programmes is relatively low. (1 %, rank 19/22 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (57.8 %, rank 3/32 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.6 %, rank 3/35 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of arts and humanities among all international or foreign tertiary students in Iceland is relatively high. (40.3 %, rank 1/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of business, administration and law among all international or foreign tertiary students in Iceland is relatively low. (6.5 %, rank 36/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics among all international or foreign tertiary students in Iceland is relatively high. (14.6 %, rank 2/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of engineering, manunfacturing and construction among all international or foreign tertiary students in Iceland is relatively low. (7.9 %, rank 34/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of health and welfare among all international or foreign tertiary students in Iceland is relatively low. (4.9 %, rank 33/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of international doctoral graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 34/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of international doctoral graduates in the field of Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (56.3 %, rank 2/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of international doctoral graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12.5 %, rank 35/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of students enrolled in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among tertiary students is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (18.2 %, rank 32/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Iceland, the share of employed 25-64 year-olds participating in at least one job-related non-formal education and training over the 4 weeks prior to the interview is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (16.9 %, rank 3/25 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of 25-64 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education participating in non-formal job-related education and training over the 4 weeks prior to the interview is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partners countries with available data. (12.1 %, rank 3/25 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education participating in non-formal job-related education and training over the 4 weeks prior to the interview is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partners countries with available data. (22.2 %, rank 3/25 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of 25-64 year-olds without an upper secondary education participating in non-formal job-related education and training over the 4 weeks prior to the interview is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partners countries with available data. (6.9 %, rank 3/20 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Resources for education

    In Iceland, the salary cost of primary teachers per student is comparatively high. (5075 USD Equivalent, rank 5/24 , 2017) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per pupil at the pre-primary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (21878 USD Equivalent, rank 3/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per primary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15206 USD Equivalent, rank 3/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for core educational services on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education in Iceland is comparatively high. (15262 USD Equivalent, rank 3/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for core educational services on primary to tertiary education in Iceland is comparatively high. (15444 USD Equivalent, rank 4/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Iceland, expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies. (6.3 %, rank 5/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2.5 %, rank 2/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, expenditure on secondary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2.4 %, rank 5/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, expenditure on post secondary non-tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (0.1 %, rank 4/21 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, public and private expenditure on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (4.9 %, rank 3/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (4.8 %, rank 1/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, international expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (0 %, rank 3/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (6 %, rank 2/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP for tertiary education is high compared to 2015. (112 Index, rank 5/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively high in Iceland. (6 %, rank 2/29 , 2020) Download Indicator

    From 2012 to 2020, the average annual growth in total expenditure on primary to tertiary education in Iceland is one of the high among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.9 %, rank 4/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Government and private expenditure in education

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.5 %, rank 36/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Iceland has one of the smallest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (4 %, rank 35/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively large. (95.3 %, rank 5/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the relative share of public expenditure from initial sources of funds on primary to post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (96.9 %, rank 5/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the relative share of public expenditure from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively large. (95.3 %, rank 5/29 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Iceland, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.1 %, rank 34/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (95.9 %, rank 1/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of capital expenditure on secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.4 %, rank 32/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of capital expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.3 %, rank 17/19 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of capital expenditure on tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.7 %, rank 35/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of current expenditure on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (98.3 %, rank 1/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of women among teaching staff in pre-primary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (92.1 %, rank 38/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in lower secondary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (82.5 %, rank 2/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary teachers younger than 30 is especially low. (6.4 %, rank 36/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers under 30 in lower secondary education is especially high in Iceland. (77.7 %, rank 3/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in lower secondary education is especially high in Iceland. (83.8 %, rank 3/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of teachers under 30 in early childhood educational development is especially high in Iceland. (36.4 %, rank 2/19 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of women among teaching staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (91.9 %, rank 19/22 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the percentage of teachers under 30 in pre-primary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (36.2 %, rank 3/36 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of male teachers in pre-primary education is especially high in Iceland. (7.9 %, rank 5/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of pupils per teacher in pre-primary schools is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.5 Ratio, rank 41/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The number of students per teacher in primary schools is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner countries with available data. (10.2 Ratio, rank 43/46 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, 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. (4.5 Ratio, rank 26/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in private institutions is especially low in Iceland. (7.1 Ratio, rank 35/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Iceland. (7.1 Ratio, rank 18/19 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the ratio of children to teaching staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.7 Ratio, rank 21/21 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland 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. (2.7 Ratio, rank 14/16 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    In Iceland, total intended instruction time for lower secondary students is among the shortest compared to other countries with available data. (2516 Hours, rank 27/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The number of instruction days per year for lower secondary students is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (170 Days, rank 31/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The number of instruction days per year for primary students is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (170 Days, rank 34/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Classes in in private primary institutions are comparatively small in Iceland. (14 Students, rank 31/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In government-dependent private institutions at primary education level, the average class size is relatively small in Iceland among OECD and other partner countries with available data. (14 Students, rank 17/18 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In government-dependent private institutions at lower secondary level, classes are one of the smallest in Iceland among OECD and partner countries with available data. (16 Students, rank 16/19 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively high. (91.7 %, rank 2/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (74.4 %, rank 2/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively high. (85.7 %, rank 1/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (95.3 %, rank 1/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (99 %, rank 1/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is compartively high in Iceland. (76.4 %, rank 2/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-olds with tertiary education is compartively high in Iceland. (91 %, rank 1/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively high in Iceland. (85.4 %, rank 1/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (91.3 %, rank 2/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in Iceland. (95.6 %, rank 1/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education is comparatively high. (94 %, rank 5/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (64.6 %, rank 2/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education is comparatively high. (90.1 %, rank 2/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is compartively high in Iceland. (71.4 %, rank 2/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively high in Iceland. (89.6 %, rank 1/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old women with below upper secondary education is compartively high in Iceland. (64.7 %, rank 1/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively high (95.2 %, rank 2/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of employed 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (82.5 %, rank 1/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of employed 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (92.8 %, rank 1/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Employment by field of education

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of business, administration and law is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (95.2 %, rank 1/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (92 %, rank 2/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (92.9 %, rank 4/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.7 %, rank 40/42 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (1.5 %, rank 34/34 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (2.4 %, rank 38/42 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in Iceland. (1.7 %, rank 39/41 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively low in Iceland. (1.6 %, rank 39/41 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.9 %, rank 34/34 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.3 %, rank 34/34 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with below upper secondary education is low in Iceland. (18 %, rank 43/43 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (21.8 %, rank 43/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (2 %, rank 37/37 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (2.8 %, rank 40/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.1 %, rank 44/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (11.9 %, rank 42/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (9.2 %, rank 35/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women without an upper secondary education is relatively low. (21.5 %, rank 43/43 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate 25-64 year-old women without an upper secondary education is relatively low compared to other countries with available data. (31.5 %, rank 43/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (15.9 %, rank 34/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (3.8 %, rank 29/33 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (6 %, rank 34/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (7.5 %, rank 41/44 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education is relatively low. (7.7 %, rank 42/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education is relatively low. (3.7 %, rank 42/45 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of inactive youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Iceland is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (3.3 %, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Iceland is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (2.5 %, rank 36/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of women without an upper secondary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low (28.7 %, rank 36/36 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of men without an upper secondary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low (12 %, rank 37/39 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training without an upper secondary in Iceland is relatively low. (17.7 %, rank 40/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (10 %, rank 38/39 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary in Iceland is relatively low. (7.5 %, rank 37/39 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of women with tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (5.3 %, rank 36/38 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with tertiary education in Iceland is relatively low. (4.5 %, rank 37/39 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (4.5 %, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (3 %, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are unemployed NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (1.2 %, rank 37/38 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (4.1 %, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (3.7 %, rank 38/39 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Iceland is relatively low. (4.3 %, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The share of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 25-29 year-olds in Iceland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.9 %, rank 37/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds in Iceland is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.7 %, rank 38/41 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of men neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (6.8 %, rank 37/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of women neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (6.6 %, rank 38/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Among 15-29 year-olds, the share of youth without an upper secondary or post-secondary non tertiary degree who are neither employed nor in education or training in Iceland is relatively low. (5.6 %, rank 39/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the proportion of youth with a tertiary degree who are neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds is comparatively small. (4.6 %, rank 36/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Among 25-29 year-old men in Iceland, a small share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (6.9 %, rank 38/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of young women neither employed nor in education or training (25-29 year-olds) in Iceland is comparatively low . (11 %, rank 37/40 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 18-24 year-olds who are neither employed nor in education or training is comparatively small in Iceland. (5.9 %, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old men neither employed nor in education or training is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (7.4 %, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old women neither employed nor in education or training is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (4.2 %, rank 39/40 , 2022) Download Indicator

    Social outcomes

    In Iceland, upper-secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education's average score for the perception of democracy and the importance given to citizens having the final say on the most important political issues by voting on them directly in referendums is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.4 Average score, rank 5/24 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of Internet users without an upper secondary education taking precautions to protect the privacy of their personal data is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (25.8 %, rank 5/26 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Iceland, the share of Internet users with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education taking precautions to protect the privacy of their personal data is relatively high, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (25.5 %, rank 5/26 , 2021) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    

    

    

    • On average in OECD countries, the employment rate for younger adults (25-34 year-olds) with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education as their highest attainment is 83% for those with a vocational qualification and 73% for those with a general one.
    • Combined school- and work-based vocational programmes facilitate the transition into the labour market. In Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia and Switzerland, around nine out of ten upper secondary VET students are in a combined school- and work-based programme, but in 10 countries, the share is less than one in five.
    • Vocational education and training (VET) programmes, which often require specific equipment and infrastructure, typically cost more per student than general programmes. On average across OECD countries, expenditure per student is about USD 11 400 in general upper secondary programmes, compared to about USD 13 200 in vocational programmes.
    • On average across OECD countries, 43% of teachers in vocational upper secondary programmes are aged 50 or over. This reflects an ageing VET teacher workforce, and also that some VET teachers join the teaching profession after an industry work experience.
    

    

    
| Spotlight on Vocational Education and Training | Education policies: Access and Participation - VET | Education policies: Finance and Funding - VET | Education policies: Labour market outcomes - VET | 
    

    
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    • On average across OECD, 20% of adults (25-64 year-olds) still do not have an upper secondary qualification in 2022. Forty percent have an upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary qualification as their highest level of education, the same share as those with a tertiary degree.

    • Employment rates increase as educational attainment increases. Among 25-64 year-olds, the employment rate is 59% for those with below upper secondary attainment. This rises to 77% for adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment and 86% for those with tertiary attainment.

    • Civic engagement tends to increase as educational attainment increases. Across the OECD countries and accession countries participating in the European Social Survey (ESS) Round 10, around 10% of individuals with tertiary attainment have participated in a public demonstration in the previous 12 months, whereas 6% of individuals with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary educational attainment have done so.

    • The most common form of participation in adult learning is non-formal education and training, mostly job related. Slightly more than one in ten adults (25-64 year-olds) participate in non-formal education and training on average across OECD and accession countries reporting data with a four-week reference period, of which almost 80% have engaged in at least one job-related learning activity.
    

    

    
| Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    

    
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    • On average, 18% of children under 2 and 43% of 2-year-olds were enrolled in early childhood education (ECEC) programmes in 2021 but other ECEC services also play a significant role. In Japan, 26% of children under 2 and 53% of 2-year-olds are enrolled in ECEC services outside ISCED 0.

    • In Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, vocational programmes mostly serve those who have completed their initial schooling, and less than 12% of 15-19 year-old upper secondary students are pursuing VET. In contrast, there are 11 OECD countries where the majority of 15-19 year-olds enrolled in upper secondary education are in vocational programmes.

    • Most upper secondary VET students are in programmes that offer direct access to tertiary education. Countries where around 30% or more vocational students enrolled in programmes that lead to full level completion without direct access to tertiary education tend to be those with multiple vocational tracks and bridging options to allow progression to higher levels of education.

    • On average, 72% of students who enter upper secondary education graduate within its theoretical duration across countries with available data. Two years after the end of the theoretical duration, the average completion rate has increased to 82%.

    • Students who entered a general upper secondary programme have a higher rate of completion (87%) than those who entered in a vocational programme (73%) in nearly all countries two years after the end of the theoretical programme duration.

    • The COVID-19 pandemic had a very uneven impact on international student flows across countries during the period 2019-2021. While the share of mobile students fell by 6 percentage points in Australia and 9 percentage points in New Zealand, it increased in several countries and remained unchanged in many others.
    

    

    
| Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    

    
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    • Across OECD countries, expenditure per student averages around USD 10 700 at the primary level, USD 11 900 at secondary and USD 18 100 at tertiary level. This reflects the fact that higher levels of education often require teachers to have more advanced qualifications and specialised knowledge which are usually accompanied by higher salaries.

    • Vocational education and training (VET) programmes, which often require specific equipment and infrastructure, typically cost more per student than general programmes. On average across OECD countries, expenditure per student is about USD 11 400 in general upper secondary programmes, compared to about USD 13 200 in vocational programmes.
    • Upper secondary vocational programmes receive between 3% and 17% of all funding for primary to tertiary educational institutions. Post-secondary non-tertiary programmes, which are often vocational, receive as much as 7% of funding (in Ireland) and short-cycle tertiary as much as 10% (in Canada).

    • In 2020, on average across OECD countries, 84% of the funding for primary to tertiary educational institutions came directly from government sources, 15% from private sources and 1% from non-domestic (international) sources.

    • Higher education levels tend to have higher teachers' salary costs per student. On average across OECD countries, they rise from USD 3 614 per student in primary education to USD 4 424 in lower secondary education. This is mostly due to a combination of higher teachers' salaries and instruction time, and shorter teaching hours.
    

    

    
| Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    

    
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    • Students across the OECD receive an average of 7 634 hours of compulsory instruction during their primary and lower secondary education, ranging from 5 245 hours in Poland to double that in Australia (11 000 hours).

    • Teachers' actual salaries at pre-primary, primary and general secondary levels of education are 81-95% of the earnings of tertiary-educated workers on average across OECD countries and other participants.

    • School heads' actual salaries are more than 51% higher on average than those of teachers across primary and secondary education in OECD countries and other participants.

    • More than three-quarters of the OECD countries have national, or central, examinations in the final years of upper secondary education (in general programmes). A large majority of these countries use these examinations to grant students access to tertiary education.

    

    

    
| Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teachers | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    

    
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Key

    
Diagram of funding flows - Iceland

    

    

    

    

    
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Country Reviews for Iceland

    

    

    

    








    
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: http://www.oecd.org/about/membersandpartners/


    
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. 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: 2018 for school year 2017/2018.


    
*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
Annex 3
of EAG 2021 for more details about the data collections.


    
B-S-J-Z (China) refers to the four PISA-participating provinces/municipalities of the People's Republic of China:
Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.


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