Estonia

Country overview

Select a country to explore its education data and publications.

Estonia
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In Estonia, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 42.1% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 47.5% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 10.4% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 87.5% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 90.7% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • In upper secondary education, 77% complete their education within the theoretical programme duration (OECD average : 76.2%), while 82.4% of new entrants complete a general or vocational programme within two years after the end of the theoritical programme (OECD average : 84.9%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 4% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 0.3% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, Estonia allocated an average of 10.2% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 4.4% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 22077 equivalent USD for tertiary education in Estonia (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 12116 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 5.7% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 13.6% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 10.5% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 16.9% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • On-site work varies with the level of education, while 44.6% of tertiary-educated workers sometimes or usually work from home in Estonia (OECD average : 42.5%), 17.1% of workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment did so (OECD average : 17.7%).
  • In Estonia, annual typical teaching hours were 592 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 626 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
  • In Estonia, there are 79.7% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools (OECD average : 90.9%). However, 8.7% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary education left the profession through retirement or resignation in 2025 (OECD average : 6.4%).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Estonia | Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium (Ministry of Education and Reseach) | Eesti Statistika (Statistics Estonia) |

    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:

    Attainment

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.4 %, rank 31/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Estonia has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-old adults with less than primary education. (0.2 %, rank 24/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.8 %, rank 37/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (0.2 %, rank 29/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The share of 55-64 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in Estonia is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.5 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 55-64 year-old women who attained below upper secondary education in Estonia is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.4 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Estonia is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (38.2 %, rank 34/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    In Estonia, the share of female new entrants to bachelor’s programmes in social sciences, journalism and information was among the smallest internationally. (60.4 %, rank 27/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of female new entrants to master's programmes in the field of services is one of the smallest across participating countries. (26 %, rank 26/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of female new entrants in tertiary services programmes is one of the smallest across participating countries. (41.4 %, rank 18/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (63.9 %, rank 22/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of education is relatively small. (8.3 %, rank 25/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of natural sciences, mathematics ans statistics is relatively small. (36.7 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (31.3 %, rank 25/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of men 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. (35.5 %, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Estonia is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (36.6 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9 %, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of men 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. (14.2 %, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Estonia is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (51.1 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in education in Estonia is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (14.3 %, rank 26/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in Estonia is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (55.3 %, rank 28/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Estonia is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (55.8 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The enrolment rate of children under age 3 in ECEC (ISCED 01) was one of the lowest across participating countries. (0 %, rank 30/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in government-dependent tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among 6–14-year-olds, enrolment in lower secondary programmes in Estonia ranked among the lowest internationally. (20.4 %, rank 41/42 , 2024) 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. (58.1 %, rank 34/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at all early childhood education level is comparatively low. (4.5 %, rank 33/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively low. (4.5 %, rank 41/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary programmes in Estonia is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (52.5 %, rank 34/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    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. (22 %, rank 29/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of first-time master's graduates younger than 35 is relatively low. (71.5 %, rank 27/31 , 2024) 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. (30.8 %, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among OECD and partner countries with available data, Estonia has one of the largest shares of women graduates from tertiary programmes. (62.3 %, rank 4/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information in Estonia is relatively small. (6.1 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of health and welfare in Estonia is relatively small. (7.3 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, 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. (1.2 %, rank 32/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the proportion of upper secondary vocational graduates in the field of health and welfare is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 31/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of tertiary graduates in STEM fields in Estonia was one of the highest compared to other participating countries. (27 %, rank 9/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    The share of male tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively low in Estonia. (5.3 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (15.5 %, rank 21/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (61.6 %, rank 7/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (82.4 %, rank 17/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (18.3 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (64.2 %, rank 6/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Estonia, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low. (18.2 %, rank 25/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of health and welfare is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (8.6 %, rank 26/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the proportion of new entrants in social sciences, journalism and information bachelor's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.8 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of new entrants in business, administration and law bachelor's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.5 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the proportion of new entrants in business, administration and law master's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.3 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    The share of worldwide foreign and international students is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 42/46 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the proportion of international students among first-time master's graduates is relatively high. (23.1 %, rank 10/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the proportion of international students among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (44.7 %, rank 7/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction among all international or foreign tertiary students in Estonia is relatively low. (7.3 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of health and welfare among all international or foreign tertiary students in Estonia is relatively low. (5.1 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of international and foreign students among all students in the field of services is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.8 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Estonia, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the largest across countries with available data. (65.2 %, rank 7/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in Estonia was among the highest across countries with available data. (59.6 %, rank 10/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among unemployed adults aged 25-64, the share participating in non-formal education or training in Estonia was among the highest across countries with available data. (51.8 %, rank 1/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 outside the labour force, participation in non-formal education or training in Estonia was among the highest across countries with available data. (22.1 %, rank 6/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (13.6 %, rank 27/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the lowest in Estonia compared with other countries with available data. (9.1 %, rank 26/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment, the share reporting never having participated in non-formal education or training in Estonia was among the smallest across countries with available data. (4.3 %, rank 25/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of adults aged 25-64 across all education levels who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the lowest across countries with available data. (7 %, rank 26/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Expenditure per student for ancillary services on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education in Estonia is comparatively low. (105 USD Equivalent, rank 31/32 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary general education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6713 USD Equivalent, rank 28/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary vocational education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10579 USD Equivalent, rank 21/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Estonia, expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (1.6 %, rank 7/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, 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 30/36 , 2023) 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. (9.9 %, rank 31/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Estonia has one of the smallest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (5.6 %, rank 31/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of government expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively large. (91.3 %, rank 8/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Estonia, the share of current expenditure on primary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (85.8 %, rank 32/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of current expenditure on all levels below tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (87.6 %, rank 31/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of capital expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4 %, rank 16/21 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    The number of hours per year primary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively low in Estonia. (592 Hours, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The number of hours per year pre-primary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively high in Estonia. (1320 Hours, rank 2/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of teachers aged between 40 and 49 in secondary schools is especially small. (23.2 %, rank 38/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in primary education is one of the largest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (89.8 %, rank 10/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in lower secondary education is one of the largest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (81.9 %, rank 3/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in upper secondary education is one of the largest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (69.3 %, rank 8/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (41.3 %, rank 39/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of lower secondary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (38.6 %, rank 36/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of upper secondary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (42.2 %, rank 37/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (40.7 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers older than 50 is especially high. (50.6 %, rank 5/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of upper secondary general education teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to the other countries with available data. (42.2 %, rank 32/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of teachers aged between 30 and 49 in upper secondary vocational education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (42.3 %, rank 28/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    The ratio of primary teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year workers with tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.86 Ratio, rank 4/18 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, average actual salaries for pre-primary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the lowest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (33458 USD Equivalent, rank 29/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, average actual salaries for primary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the lowest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (44158 USD Equivalent, rank 28/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, average actual salaries for lower secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the lowest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (44158 USD Equivalent, rank 28/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, average actual salaries for upper secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the lowest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (44158 USD Equivalent, rank 30/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    It takes lower secondary teachers less time to progress through the salary scale in Estonia compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0 Years, rank 37/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Principals' salaries

    In Estonia, actual salaries of pre-primary school heads aged 25-64 relative to earnings of full-time, full-year tertiary-educated workers are low. (0.87 Ratio, rank 14/15 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, actual salaries of primary school heads aged 25-64 relative to earnings of full-time, full-year tertiary-educated workers are low. (1 Ratio, rank 11/16 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, actual salaries of lower secondary school heads aged 25-64 relative to earnings of full-time, full-year tertiary-educated workers are low. (1 Ratio, rank 11/16 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, actual salaries of upper secondary school heads aged 25-64 relative to earnings of full-time, full-year tertiary-educated workers are low. (1 Ratio, rank 13/17 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old pre-primary school heads is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (46897 USD Equivalent, rank 23/23 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old primary school heads is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (55073 USD Equivalent, rank 27/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old lower secondary school heads is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (55073 USD Equivalent, rank 27/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old upper-secondary school heads is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (55073 USD Equivalent, rank 27/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    In Estonia, the proportion of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools is one of the smallest among OECD and participating countries. (79.7 %, rank 30/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of fully qualified primary and secondary teachers who left the profession is relatively high compared to other participating countries. (8.7 %, rank 6/24 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The gap in job satisfaction between teachers and other similarly educated employed adults aged 16-65 is especially wide in favor of other employed adults in Estonia. (-3.3 % points, rank 20/27 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Between 2015 and 2024, Estonia reported an increase in the number of students enrolled in education. (112 Index, rank 6/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Between 2015 and 2024, Estonia reported an increase in the number of full-time equivalent classroom teachers. (126 Index, rank 6/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of students per teacher in tertiary institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.7 Ratio, rank 33/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level is especially high. (16.2 Ratio, rank 9/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the ratio of students to teaching staff in bachelor's, master's, doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the lowest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.7 Ratio, rank 30/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Estonia. (9.4 Ratio, rank 19/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Estonia. (11 Ratio, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Estonia. (10 Ratio, rank 20/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the number of students per teacher in public institutions at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (9.4 Ratio, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the student-teacher ratio for bachelor's, master's, doctoral or equivalent programmes in public institutions is among the lowest across participating countries. (9.4 Ratio, rank 32/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    Classes are particularly small in primary schools. (18 Students, rank 29/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in private primary institutions are comparatively small in Estonia. (15 Students, rank 31/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in lower secondary private institutions are comparatively small in Estonia. (16 Students, rank 30/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In government-dependent private institutions at primary education level, the average class size is relatively small in Estonia among OECD and other partner countries with available data. (15 Students, rank 18/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In government-dependent private institutions at lower secondary level, the average class size is relatively small in Estonia among OECD and partner countries with available data. (16 Students, rank 19/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively high across participating countries. (65.2 %, rank 9/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively high across participating countries. (82.8 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is relatively high in Estonia compared to other participating countries. (67.3 %, rank 5/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is relatively high in Estonia compared to other participating countries. (90 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high in Estonia compared to other participating countries. (85.3 %, rank 7/40 , 2025) 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. (87.3 %, rank 9/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (82.2 %, rank 3/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively high across participating countries. (65.3 %, rank 2/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 55-64 year-old men with below upper secondary education is relatively low in Estonia compared to other participating countries. (44.1 %, rank 34/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively high across surveyed countries. (13.9 %, rank 8/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively high across surveyed countries. (4.8 %, rank 9/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (6.8 %, rank 7/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is relatively low in Estonia compared to other participating countries. (8.6 %, rank 29/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with below upper secondary education is low in Estonia. (22.1 %, rank 36/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low in Estonia. (7.9 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is low in Estonia. (4.5 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (5.4 %, rank 31/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (11.6 %, rank 34/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (4.6 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.2 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (24.2 %, rank 36/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (1.2 %, rank 23/25 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.5 %, rank 35/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, 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. (11.3 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (12.9 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (10.4 %, rank 31/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 55-64 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low in Estonia. (20.2 %, rank 35/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 55-64 years-old adults with tertiary education is low in Estonia. (12.1 %, rank 35/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women without an upper secondary education is relatively low compared to other countries with available data. (23.6 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate 25-64 year-old women without an upper secondary education is relatively low compared to other countries with available data. (26.1 %, rank 39/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (14.6 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (14.3 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (10.5 %, rank 30/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (14.5 %, rank 30/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (1.8 %, rank 30/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (7.6 %, rank 29/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (12 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (14.4 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (5 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is relatively low. (6.4 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education is relatively low. (7.4 %, rank 35/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is relatively low. (1.6 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (140 Index, rank 21/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a short cycle tertiary education degree are comparatively low across surveyed countries. (90.8 %, rank 24/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a bachelor's or equivalent education are comparatively low across surveyed countries. (133.1 %, rank 18/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a master's, doctoral or equivalent education degree are comparatively low across surveyed countries. (151.7 %, rank 24/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the share of workers earning more than twice the median among those with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is comparatively small. (5.8 %, rank 18/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers without an upper secondary education earning at or below half the overall median in Estonia is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (24 Index, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Estonia. (113 Index, rank 16/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Estonia. (112 Index, rank 18/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Estonia, the proportion earning between 1 and 1.5 times the median is comparatively low. (22 Index, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings and skill level

    In Estonia, the share of high earners aged 25-64 with low numeracy, literacy and adaptive problem-solving skills in the Adult Skills Survey was among the smallest across countries with available data. (11.5 %, rank 23/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of high earners aged 25-64 with high numeracy, literacy and adaptive problem-solving skills in the Adult Skills Survey was among the greatest in Estonia compared with other countries with available data. (71.9 %, rank 3/21 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds without an upper secondary education with income from employment) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (70 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (73.1 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the proportion of young women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds with tertiary education working full-time full-year), is relatively low compared to OECD and other members with available data. (81.4 %, rank 21/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (68.8 %, rank 24/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds without an upper secondary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (74.2 %, rank 21/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (78.5 %, rank 16/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (70.6 %, rank 19/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (71.2 %, rank 16/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (25-64 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (74.5 %, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (45-54 year-olds with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education working full-time full-year) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (75.7 %, rank 16/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of inactive youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Estonia is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (5 %, rank 34/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Estonia is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (10.5 %, rank 30/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of youth who have been unemployed for at least one year and not in formal education or training among 18-24 year-olds in Estonia is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (0.3 %, rank 28/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training without an upper secondary education in Estonia is relatively low. (23.8 %, rank 34/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Estonia is relatively low. (4.1 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Estonia is relatively low. (3.2 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Estonia is relatively low. (5.1 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Estonia, the percentage of women neither employed nor in education or training among 20-24 year-olds is relatively low. (8.5 %, rank 34/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 18-24 year-olds who are neither employed nor in education or training is comparatively small in Estonia. (10.5 %, rank 30/38 , 2025) 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. (8.3 %, rank 34/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Social outcomes

    In Estonia, the share of employed men aged 25-64 with tertiary education reporting high or very high flexibility in their main job was among the highest across countries with available data. (52.6 %, rank 9/30 , 2023) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
                                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
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
                                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
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
                                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
                                
    
                                
                                    
                                
    
                            
    
                    
            

    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
                                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 across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
                                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 - Estonia
            
    
            
    
        
    


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

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

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

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

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