Explore the OECD's reports or draw from a wide variety of education indicators and data to construct your own, customised country reports, highlighting the facts, developments and outcomes of your choice.

Country

Belgium
Change country

Data profiles:


Belgium
Overview of the education system (EAG 2022)
  • Between 2000 and 2021, the share of 25-34 year-olds with tertiary attainment in Belgium increased albeit at a slower pace than on average across OECD countries, by 15 percentage points (from 36% in 2000 to 51% in 2021).
  • In Belgium, 51% of 25-34 year-olds had a tertiary qualification in 2021 compared to 47% on average across OECD countries.
  • In 2020, 98% of 3-5 year-olds in Belgium were enrolled in early childhood education programmes education in Belgium, compared to 83% on average across OECD countries. The share of children enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level was 53%. In 2019, Belgium spent USD 9 728 on pre-primary educational institutions, slightly above the OECD average (USD 9 598%), 2% was funded by private sources.
  • In Belgium, the share of women among general upper secondary graduates is 56% (OECD average 55%). Men make up 52% of all vocational upper secondary graduates, below the OECD average (55%).
  • The share of part-time students at the tertiary level in Belgium is 26%, above the OECD average (22%). Compared to 2013, it has decreased by 2 percentage points.
  • In 2019, Belgium spent 5.6% of its GDP or a total of USD 15 024 per full-time equivalent student on primary to tertiary educational institutions compared to USD 11 990 on average across OECD countries. Education funding reached USD 21 082 per student at the tertiary level, 35% of which corresponds to expenditure for research and development (R&D).
    • | Education at a Glance 2022 | Country Note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2022 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Belgium | Vlaams Ministerie van Onderwijs en Vorming (Education in the Flemish Community of Belgium, in Flemish) | Administration Générale de l'Enseignement et de la Recherche Scientifique (Department of Education and Scientific Research, in French) | National Institute for Statistics (FOD Economie (ADSEI)) | Important note on Belgian education system |
    Profile View

    Select first some countries to compare, choose the charts you wish to display and customise them.

    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.

    Show indicators for which your country ranks among the top or bottom: Sort by:

    Educational outcomes

    In Belgium, the share of first-time graduates in general programmes at upper secondary level is comparatively low. (48 %, rank 28/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Attainment

    The level of short-cycle tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.9 %, rank 27/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (22.5 %, rank 5/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Attainment by field of education

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (21.2 %, rank 23/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    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. (13 %, rank 23/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The enrolment rate among 15-19 year-olds in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (93.3 %, rank 3/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The proportion of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (55.7 %, rank 9/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in public tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (42.4 %, rank 36/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in government-dependent private tertiary educational institutions is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (57.5 %, rank 4/22 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in independent private tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.2 %, rank 28/31 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of 20-24 year-olds in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (48.3 %, rank 9/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of 40-64 year-olds in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.1 %, rank 7/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of part-time students in short-cycle programmes is relatively large. (70.5 %, rank 2/28 , 2018) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of part-time students in bachelor's programmes is relatively large. (26.1 %, rank 9/34 , 2018) Download Indicator

    The share of upper secondary 15-19-year-old students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (54.8 %, rank 8/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of students enrolled in school- and work-based programmes among all upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.1 %, rank 20/22 , 2020) 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. (22.6 %, rank 31/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the average age of new entrants in master's programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23.5 Years, rank 37/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 18 in general upper secondary programmes in Belgium is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.5 %, rank 37/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 18 in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.9 %, rank 7/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 19 in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.4 %, rank 8/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 20 in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.5 %, rank 9/29 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The proportion of women among the new entrants in master's programmes in Belgium is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (55.4 %, rank 30/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively high. (53 %, rank 10/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The percentage of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at upper secondary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (52 %, rank 9/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the percentage of bachelor's or equivalent graduates in public institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.8 %, rank 26/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the percentage of master's or equivalent graduates in public institutions is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (39.6 %, rank 28/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of doctorate graduates in public institutions is relatively low in Belgium. (45.2 %, rank 31/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    In Belgium, 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. (14.1 %, rank 10/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of female tertiary graduates in the field of sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.1 %, rank 36/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male tertiary graduates in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is relatively low in Belgium. (32.6 %, rank 31/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively high in Belgium. (16.3 %, rank 1/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.3 %, rank 23/25 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of services is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (36.2 %, rank 23/25 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, 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. (51.3 %, rank 33/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, 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. (89 %, rank 6/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation by age

    In Belgium, the average age of post-secondary non-tertiary graduates from vocational programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data (21.6 Years, rank 23/23 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The average age of upper secondary graduates from vocational programmes in Belgium is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data (19.2 Years, rank 27/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 38/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (25.7 %, rank 1/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of information and communication technologies in Belgium is relatively small. (0.3 %, rank 39/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Belgium, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is relatively low. (3.7 %, rank 31/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (72 %, rank 31/36 , 2020) 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. (40.7 %, rank 35/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.5 %, rank 35/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of services among all national tertiary students in Belgium is relatively low. (1.6 %, rank 32/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of arts and humanities is relatively small. (0.6 %, rank 30/31 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of services is comparatively small. (1.3 %, rank 33/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of women 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. (70.8 %, rank 28/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of women 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. (21.6 %, rank 28/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (75 %, rank 30/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (11.2 %, rank 35/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, 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. (38 %, rank 35/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of women 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. (22 %, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (24 %, rank 35/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in health and welfare in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (65.7 %, rank 29/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (6.4 %, rank 35/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (43.7 %, rank 33/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (28.2 %, rank 35/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in education in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (57.1 %, rank 20/22 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (7.8 %, rank 27/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in information and communication technologies in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (8.4 %, rank 25/26 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Belgium is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (10.1 %, rank 27/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (62 %, rank 2/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Belgium is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (56.3 %, rank 4/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of health and welfare is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (25 %, rank 7/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (88.8 %, rank 1/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (78 %, rank 3/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Belgium is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (76 %, rank 2/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in health and welfare in Belgium is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (34.3 %, rank 8/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in Belgium is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (93.6 %, rank 1/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Belgium is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (71.8 %, rank 2/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    In Belgium, the proportion of international graduates among bachelor's first-time graduates is relatively high. (7.5 %, rank 10/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (44.6 %, rank 5/30 , 2020) 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 Belgium is relatively high. (13.8 %, rank 10/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of business, administration and law among all international or foreign tertiary students in Belgium is relatively low. (12.5 %, rank 30/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of information and communication technologies among all international or foreign tertiary students in Belgium is relatively low. (1.9 %, rank 31/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of engineering, manunfacturing and construction among all international or foreign tertiary students in Belgium is relatively low. (12 %, rank 25/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of students enrolled in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among all international or foreign students is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (19.7 %, rank 30/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, 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. (19 %, rank 30/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (21082 USD Equivalent, rank 9/37 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per student from primary to tertiary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15024 USD Equivalent, rank 8/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per primary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (11720 USD Equivalent, rank 10/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per secondary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15007 USD Equivalent, rank 7/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13760 USD Equivalent, rank 9/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per student on research and development in tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7322 USD Equivalent, rank 9/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for core educational services on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education in Belgium is comparatively high. (13119 USD Equivalent, rank 5/28 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for core educational services on tertiary education in Belgium is comparatively high. (12811 USD Equivalent, rank 8/27 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for ancillary services on tertiary education in Belgium is comparatively high. (949 USD Equivalent, rank 7/25 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure per full-time equivalent student from primary to tertiary education is relatively high in Belgium. (15809 USD Equivalent, rank 5/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the total expenditure per full-time equivalent student on primary to tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13433 USD Equivalent 2015, rank 10/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure on public educational institutions per full-time equivalent student at tertiary level is comparatively high in Belgium. (20280 USD Equivalent, rank 7/35 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Belgium, expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies. (5.6 %, rank 10/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, public and private expenditure on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (4.1 %, rank 5/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, public expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (5.2 %, rank 5/40 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, private expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively low. (0.3 %, rank 29/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    From 2012 to 2018, the average annual growth in total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student at primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary level is relatively low in Belgium. (0.2 %, rank 28/32 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the international expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds on primary to tertiary education is high. (0.1 %, rank 8/30 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively high in Belgium. (5.3 %, rank 3/27 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The proportion of private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds for primary to tertiary education is comparatively small in Belgium. (0.2 %, rank 21/27 , 2019) Download Indicator

    From 2012 to 2018, the average annual growth in total expenditure per full-time equivalent student on primary to tertiary education in Belgium is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.5 %, rank 24/31 , 2019) Download Indicator

    At tertiary level, the public expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds is comparatively high in Belgium. (1.3 %, rank 5/29 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds on tertiary education is relatively low in Belgium. (0.1 %, rank 19/28 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Public and private expenditure in education

    The share of private expenditure on all levels below tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.3 %, rank 31/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12.5 %, rank 28/37 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Belgium has one of the smallest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (5.8 %, rank 31/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for tertiary education is comparatively large. (84.1 %, rank 8/37 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively large. (92.8 %, rank 7/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the relative share of private expenditure from initial sources of funds on primary to post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (3 %, rank 24/28 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the relative share of public expenditure from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively high . (94 %, rank 5/26 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the relative share of private expenditure from initial source of funds for primary to tertiary education is relatively small. (4.4 %, rank 21/26 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the relative share of public expenditure from initial source of funds on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (88.2 %, rank 7/27 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the relative share of private expenditure from initial source of funds on tertiary education is comparatively small. (8.1 %, rank 22/27 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    The percentage of capital expenditure on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively in Belgium. (3.6 %, rank 29/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The share of capital expenditure for primary to tertiary education in Belgium is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.6 %, rank 29/31 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The share of current expenditure for primary to tertiary education in Belgium is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (95.4 %, rank 2/31 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The percentage of capital expenditure on secondary education is relatively in Belgium. (2.9 %, rank 31/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The percentage of current expenditure on secondary education is relatively in Belgium. (97.1 %, rank 2/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.7 %, rank 6/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers younger than 30 is especially high. (16.2 %, rank 6/37 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of female teachers younger than 30 in tertiary education is relatively large. (62.2 %, rank 2/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in tertiary education is especially high in Belgium. (47.6 %, rank 5/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of short-cycle tertiary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (62.4 %, rank 4/23 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of short-cycle tertiary teachers older than 50 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (28.9 %, rank 20/23 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of short-cycle tertiary teachers younger than 30 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (8.7 %, rank 6/23 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of short-cycle tertiary female teachers younger than 30 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (79.1 %, rank 1/22 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level female teachers younger than 30 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (60.6 %, rank 2/30 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of tertiary female teachers younger than 30 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (85.4 %, rank 1/23 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level female teachers older than 50 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (46.4 %, rank 5/30 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of students per teacher in tertiary institutions is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.8 Ratio, rank 8/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level is especially low. (9.3 Ratio, rank 37/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The number of students per teacher in secondary schools is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.1 Ratio, rank 35/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff in short-cycle tertiary programmes is comparatively low in Belgium. (5.8 Ratio, rank 19/20 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in general upper secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.9 Ratio, rank 25/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the vocational upper secondary level is especially low in Belgium. (8.3 Ratio, rank 27/30 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in public lower secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.8 Ratio, rank 34/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in private institutions is especially low in Belgium. (8.8 Ratio, rank 31/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Belgium. (8.8 Ratio, rank 16/19 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in public upper secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.2 Ratio, rank 39/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Belgium. (9.4 Ratio, rank 18/20 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in all public secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.1 Ratio, rank 36/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in all private secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.2 Ratio, rank 31/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Belgium. (9.2 Ratio, rank 17/18 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in public institutions tertiary education is one of the highest among countries with available data. (27 Ratio, rank 3/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in public institutions short-cycle tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.3 Ratio, rank 19/20 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in private institutions short-cycle tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (5.6 Ratio, rank 17/17 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in government-dependent private short-cycle tertiary education is one of the highest among countries with available data. (5.6 Ratio, rank 9/9 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in public bachelor's, master's, doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the highest among countries with available data. (28 Ratio, rank 1/27 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the number of students per teacher in private bachelor's, master's, doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (16 Ratio, rank 17/24 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (45.5 %, rank 40/42 , 2021) 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. (95.3 %, rank 6/35 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is compartively low in Belgium. (47.4 %, rank 38/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is compartively high in Belgium. (89.2 %, rank 8/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is one of the highest among countries with available data. (47.8 %, rank 3/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in Belgium. (97.2 %, rank 2/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-old with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in Belgium. (90.5 %, rank 9/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a short cycle tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (11.5 %, rank 27/35 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with below upper secondary education is compartively low in Belgium. (57 %, rank 38/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is compartively low in Belgium. (36 %, rank 32/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively high. (23.2 %, rank 6/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is one the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (2.5 %, rank 27/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with below upper secondary education is high in Belgium. (38.2 %, rank 10/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is low in Belgium. (7.3 %, rank 34/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old with a short cycle tertiary education degree is relatively low in Belgium. (3.8 %, rank 22/28 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least a year among all unemployed adults with below upper secondary education is relatively high. (59.8 %, rank 4/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least 3 months but less than a year among all unemployed adults with below upper secondary education is relatively low. (23.2 %, rank 26/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for less than 3 months among all unemployed adults with below upper secondary education is relatively low. (17 %, rank 25/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least a year among all unemployed adults with tertiary education is relatively high. (41.2 %, rank 10/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least 3 months but less than a year among all unemployed adults with tertiary education is relatively low. (31 %, rank 26/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for less than 3 months among all unemployed adults with tertiary education is relatively low. (27.8 %, rank 23/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least a year among all unemployed adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (45.1 %, rank 10/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least 3 months but less than a year among all unemployed adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (30.3 %, rank 23/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for less than 3 months among all unemployed adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (24.6 %, rank 21/30 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    In Belgium, the share of workers earning more than twice the median among those with a bachelor's or equivalent education degree is comparatively low. (2.2 %, rank 28/28 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, earnings of 25-64 year-old workers with a bachelor's or equivalent education degree compared to those of workers with upper secondary education are comparatively to other countries low. (123.5 %, rank 26/32 , 2020) 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 high in Belgium. (89.9 %, rank 7/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a master's or doctoral or equivalent education degree is comparatively low. (12.3 %, rank 28/28 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, earnings of 25-64 year-old workers with a master's or equivalent education degree are comparatively low. (156.8 %, rank 24/32 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a tertiary education degree is comparatively . (6.4 %, rank 38/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among full- and part-time 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education are one of the highest among countries with available data. (77.5 %, rank 4/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education are one of the highest among countries with available data. (84.4 %, rank 2/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of inactive youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Belgium is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.9 %, rank 28/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of youth who have been unemployed for less than 3 months and not in formal education or training among 18-24 year-olds in Belgium is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (1.1 %, rank 22/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds in Belgium is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (11.3 %, rank 30/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Belgium, the share of women neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (11.4 %, rank 30/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Participation in education by gender

    The share of female students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in Belgium is comparatively small. (43.7 %, rank 29/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    In Belgium, the average age of new entrants in bachelor's programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19.4 Years, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The average age of new entrants in tertiary education in Belgium is comparatively young. (19.5 Years, rank 31/32 , 2020) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Tertiary attainment has increased strongly in most OECD countries among 25-34 year olds. The average share of younger adults with a tertiary degree has increased from 27% in 2000 to 48% in 2021.
    • Higher educational attainment leads to better labour-market outcomes including higher wages and higher employment rates.
    • Expenditure on tertiary education accounts for 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on average across OECD countries or 30% of all education funding allocated to educational institutions.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation - Tertiary | Education policies: Finance and Funding - Tertiary | Education policies: Labour market outcomes - Tertiary | 
    
                            
    
                                Visualisations
    
                            

                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                    
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Tertiary attainment has increased strongly in most OECD countries among 25-34 year-olds. The average share of younger adults with a tertiary degree has increased from 27% in 2000 to 48% in 2021. In this age group, the share of individuals with tertiary attainment is 7 percentage points higher than the share of individuals with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment on average across OECD countries. If current trends continue, a tertiary education will be the most common attainment among working-age adults on average across OECD countries within a few years.
    • Higher educational attainment leads to better labour-market outcomes. In 2021, on average, employment rates for tertiary-educated young adults (25-34 year-olds) are 8 percentage points higher than those who have attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education and 26 percentage points higher than those who have attained below upper secondary education across OECD countries. 
    • Greater educational attainment yields better earnings and this holds true for higher levels of tertiary attainment in most countries. On average across the OECD, full-time full-year workers who attained short-cycle tertiary education earned 20% more than those with upper secondary attainment in 2020. This earnings advantage increases to 44% among those who attained a bachelor's or equivalent qualification and to 88% among those with a master's or doctoral or equivalent degree.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
                                Visualisations
    
                            

                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                    
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • On average, the vast majority (88%) of children between the age of 3 and 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) across the OECD. In a few countries, it is also common for younger children between the age of 0 and 2 to participate in ECE and over 50% of children in this age group are enrolled. However, only 27% of under-threes are enrolled in ECE on average across the OECD.
    • In almost all countries with available data, the majority of upper secondary graduates from general programmes are women. Men dominate graduation from vocational programmes in almost three-quarters of the countries.
    • While the average age of first-time graduates from general upper secondary education does not differ much across countries, the difference widens in vocational education, ranging from 16 to 34 years.
    • Around one-fifth of tertiary students are enrolled on a part-time basis, but large differences exist across OECD countries. Studying part-time is especially common in many Nordic countries, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where more than 30% of students study part-time. However, in some countries like the Czech Republic, and Greece, less than 5% of students study part-time.
    • Students are more likely to cross borders to pursue their studies as they reach more advanced levels of education. Internationally mobile students account for only 7% of bachelor's students, but 17% of master's students and 26% of doctoral students on average in OECD countries.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
                                Visualisations
    
                            

                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                    
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Total public spending on education (from primary to tertiary level) averages 10.6% of total government expenditure across OECD countries, from around 7% to 17%. The largest share of government funding is devoted to primary and secondary levels, explained by near-universal enrolment rates at those levels of education and the greater contribution of private sources at tertiary level.
    • On average across OECD countries, expenditure on primary education amounts to 30% of the funding for educational institutions, while secondary education accounts for 39%.
    • In 2019, OECD countries spent an average of USD 17 559 per student per year at the tertiary level. However, this average is driven up by high values in a few countries, reaching over USD 25 000 in Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
    • On average across OECD countries, 63% of total expenditure on tertiary educational institutions goes to core services (e.g. teachers' salaries, school buildings, teaching materials and administration), 33% on research and development activities, and 4% on ancillary services (e.g. meals and transport).
    • Expenditure on tertiary education accounts for 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on average across OECD countries or 30% of all education funding allocated to educational institutions.
    • On average across OECD countries, public funds account for 83% of total spending on educational institutions. Private sources are more important at the tertiary level, where they make up 31% of all expenditure compared to just 10% at the non-tertiary levels (primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary).
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
                                Visualisations
    
                            

                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                    
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Teachers' actual salaries at pre-primary, primary and general secondary level are 4-14% lower than the earnings of tertiary-educated workers on average across OECD countries and other participants. School heads' actual salaries are substantially higher than those of teachers across primary and secondary education.
    • Teachers in public schools in OECD and partner countries are required to teach on average 987 hours per year at pre-primary level, 784 hours at primary level, 711 hours at lower secondary level (general programmes) and 684 hours at upper secondary level (general and vocational programmes).
    • Typically, the duration of initial teacher education programmes varies from 3 years to 6.5 years, for prospective lower secondary teachers of general subjects. A tertiary qualification is awarded upon completion of the programme in most countries, regardless of the level of education at which the teacher will teach.
    • Continuing professional development is compulsory to some extent for teachers of general subjects at least at one level of education in most countries with data, except Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and New Zealand. It can be either generally compulsory for all teachers as a regular part of their work, or for some teachers for specific purposes such as promotion or salary increases, or in some cases, both.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
                                Visualisations
    
                            

                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                    
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                Click the arrow sign next to the title:
                                    arrows
                                    to display other variables
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            
                
    
            
    
        
    
        
    
            
        
    
        
    
            
        
    

        
        
		
        
		
    
			
    
				Key
            
    
            Diagram of funding flows - Belgium
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
				Key
            
    
            Country Reviews for Belgium
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            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/
            

    
	    *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.