Norway

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Norway
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In Norway, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 50.2% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 33.7% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 16.1% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 96.8% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 97.2% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • In upper secondary education, 69.1% complete their education within the theoretical programme duration (OECD average : 76.2%), while 80.9% 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 4.5% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 0.1% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, Norway allocated an average of 11.1% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 5.2% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 30939 equivalent USD for tertiary education in Norway (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 19711 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 3.2% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 10.1% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 6.6% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 8.8% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • On-site work varies with the level of education, while 62.7% of tertiary-educated workers sometimes or usually work from home in Norway (OECD average : 42.5%), 31.9% of workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment did so (OECD average : 17.7%).
  • In Norway, annual typical teaching hours were 741 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 663 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
  • Women represent 89.9% of pre-primary teaching staff in Norway (OECD average : 95.9%) and 74.1% in lower secondary education (OECD average : 68.2%).
  • In Norway, there are 82.4% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools (OECD average : 90.9%). However, 5.2% of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary education left the profession through retirement or resignation in 2025 (OECD average : 6.4%).
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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The level of upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (28.6 %, rank 35/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (56.8 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (39.4 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Norway has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-old adults with less than primary education. (0.1 %, rank 28/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a general degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.4 %, rank 29/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of short-cycle tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.2 %, rank 7/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (0.3 %, rank 24/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (65.7 %, rank 7/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Norway is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20.9 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Norway has one of the smallest shares of women among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education. (30.3 %, rank 32/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    The share of female new entrants integrating short-cycle tertiary programmes in Norway is comparatively small. (23.5 %, rank 36/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    The proportion of female new entrants to bachelor’s programmes in arts and humanities was among the smallest in Norway compared to other participating countries. (59.7 %, rank 27/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female new entrants to bachelor’s programmes in business, administration and law was among the smallest in Norway compared to other countries. (49.2 %, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of female new entrants to master's programmes in the field of services is one of the smallest across participating countries. (39.6 %, rank 21/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In social sciences, journalism and information, the proportion of female new entrants to master’s programmes was among the smallest across countries with available data. (59.5 %, rank 28/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of female new entrants in tertiary services programmes is one of the smallest across participating countries. (38.6 %, rank 20/23 , 2024) 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. (73.7 %, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of arts and humanities is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (61 %, rank 19/24 , 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. (64.2 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (24.1 %, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of male among new entrants in doctoral programmes enrolled in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (31.5 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (6.8 %, rank 23/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in health and welfare in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (30 %, rank 23/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (26.2 %, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (12.6 %, rank 22/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (17.3 %, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering doctoral or equivalent programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (57.4 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (62.2 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in health and welfare in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (17.2 %, rank 27/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in information and communication technologies in Norway is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (72 %, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (35.7 %, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of services is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (12.1 %, rank 22/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    Enrolment in early childhood education (ISCED 0) among 3- to 5-year-olds placed Norway among the highest across countries. (97.2 %, rank 6/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of children under age 3 in ECEC (ISCED 01) was one of the highest across participating countries. (61.8 %, rank 3/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of three-year-olds in early childhood education in Norway is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (96.8 %, rank 5/44 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of four-year-olds in early childhood and primary education in Norway is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (97.3 %, rank 9/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively high. (47.9 %, rank 10/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of below-two year-olds in early childhood education in Norway is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (43.5 %, rank 4/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (58.5 %, rank 7/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (37.6 %, rank 36/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among OECD and partner countries with available data, Norway has one of the smallest shares of women graduates from tertiary programmes. (56.2 %, rank 26/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of female first-time graduates in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (20.9 %, rank 26/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17.1 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of arts and humanities in Norway is relatively small. (7.2 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction in Norway is relatively small. (11.3 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (6.7 %, rank 28/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low. (7.2 %, rank 17/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of services is relatively low. (7.5 %, rank 17/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is relatively low. (0.9 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    The proportion of female tertiary graduates in business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (16.2 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of male tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.4 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (43.9 %, rank 18/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field of services is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (37.2 %, rank 29/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (73.6 %, rank 29/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (61.6 %, rank 33/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (23.3 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of services is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (42.1 %, rank 28/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (69.1 %, rank 21/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (13.1 %, rank 22/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (80.9 %, rank 19/24 , 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. (22.2 %, rank 19/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Norway, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low. (19.3 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low. (10.8 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of new entrants to tertiary education in STEM fields was one of the smallest across countries with available data. (23.5 %, rank 24/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of business, administration and law is relatively small. (3.2 %, rank 25/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in field of health and welfare is relatively small. (0.2 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1 %, rank 25/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (4.9 %, rank 27/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (9.1 %, rank 27/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (16.2 %, rank 31/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of new entrants in science, technology, engineering and mathematics bachelor's programmes is relatively low in Norway among countries with available data. (17.2 %, rank 32/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of new entrants in engineering, manufacturing and construction bachelor's programmes is relatively low in Norway among countries with available data. (5.4 %, rank 32/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    Norway has a small share of international students among tertiary graduates compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (2.1 %, rank 27/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Norway has one of the smallest proportions of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.2 %, rank 34/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of international students entering tertiary education in Norway is relatively low. (2 %, rank 31/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of international new entrants in master's long first degree (LFD) programmes is relatively low. (1.2 %, rank 18/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of international students among first-time bachelor's graduates is relatively low. (2.7 %, rank 24/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of international students among first-time master's graduates is relatively low. (7.5 %, rank 25/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.4 %, rank 35/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.8 %, rank 35/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.1 %, rank 26/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes among men is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (2.4 %, rank 36/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of business, administration and law among all international or foreign tertiary students in Norway is relatively low. (12.3 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of international and foreign students among all students in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.6 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Norway, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the largest across countries with available data. (74 %, rank 2/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of employed adults aged 45-64 participating in non-formal education or training was among the largest in Norway compared with other countries with available data. (64.8 %, rank 3/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in Norway was among the highest across countries with available data. (69.7 %, rank 3/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among unemployed adults aged 25-64, the share participating in non-formal education or training in Norway was among the highest across countries with available data. (42.6 %, rank 9/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 outside the labour force, participation in non-formal education or training in Norway was among the highest across countries with available data. (24.5 %, rank 4/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (17.8 %, rank 26/29 , 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 Norway compared with other countries with available data. (5.9 %, rank 27/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment, the share reporting never having participated in non-formal education or training in Norway was among the smallest across countries with available data. (3.2 %, rank 28/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (5.6 %, rank 27/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (30939 USD Equivalent, rank 4/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per primary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19711 USD Equivalent, rank 3/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per secondary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (21218 USD Equivalent, rank 3/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student, excluding R&D activities, is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20223 USD Equivalent, rank 4/33 , 2023) 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. (10716 USD Equivalent, rank 7/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for ancillary services on tertiary education in Norway is comparatively low. (34 USD Equivalent, rank 28/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, government expenditure per full-time equivalent student on public tertiary educationial institutions is relatively largest . (32689 USD Equivalent, rank 3/41 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary general education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20911 USD Equivalent, rank 2/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary vocational education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23786 USD Equivalent, rank 3/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Norway, government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP at primary to tertiary levels of education is comparatively high. (5.2 %, rank 6/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, government expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (4.4 %, rank 8/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, private expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively low. (0.2 %, rank 31/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds on primary to post-secondary non-tertiary level is low. (0 %, rank 33/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds at primary to tertiary education is relatively high in Norway. (4.5 %, rank 7/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The proportion of private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds for primary to tertiary education is comparatively low in Norway. (0.1 %, rank 33/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government 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. (2.9 %, rank 32/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7 %, rank 33/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Norway has one of the smallest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (4.2 %, rank 32/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, international expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of total expenditure on tertiary education is relatively low. (1.8 %, rank 25/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, international expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of total expenditure on primary to tertiary education is relatively low. (0.5 %, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of government expenditure on educational institutions, for tertiary education is comparatively large in Norway. (91.2 %, rank 1/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of government expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively large. (95.3 %, rank 2/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Norway, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.7 %, rank 8/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (89.3 %, rank 28/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of current expenditure on secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (88.7 %, rank 31/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    The number of hours per year upper secondary teachers spend teaching general programmes in public institutions is comparatively low in Norway. (523 Hours, rank 33/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of women among teaching staff in pre-primary education is one of the smallest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (89.9 %, rank 39/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in primary education is one of the smallest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (73.6 %, rank 38/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (41.9 %, rank 20/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in short-cycle tertiary education is one of the smallest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (41.9 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers younger than 30 in primary education is especially low in Norway. (67.6 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of tertiary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (45.2 %, rank 31/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers older than 50 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (31.8 %, rank 32/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of tertiary teachers older than 50 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (32.1 %, rank 31/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of short-cycle tertiary female teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (46.3 %, rank 18/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of short-cycle tertiary female teachers older than 50 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (37.2 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of women among teaching staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (89.9 %, rank 21/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    The ratio of lower secondary 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 Norway, average actual salaries for primary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (73021 USD Equivalent, rank 9/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, average actual salaries for lower secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (73021 USD Equivalent, rank 9/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, average actual salaries for upper secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (79200 USD Equivalent, rank 10/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary female teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year women workers with tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.86 Ratio, rank 21/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary male teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year men workers with tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.66 Ratio, rank 20/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 45-54 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are low in Norway. (0.7 Ratio, rank 22/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 55-64 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are low in Norway. (0.67 Ratio, rank 23/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    The salary progression from the start to the top of the salary scale for a lower secondary school teacher is among the smallest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.21 Ratio, rank 39/43 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of primary teachers' salaries at the top of the scale to their starting salary is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.21 Ratio, rank 39/43 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of upper secondary teachers' salaries at the top of the scale to their starting salary is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.23 Ratio, rank 40/43 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In primary education, the salary ratio of teachers with maximum qualifications at the top of the salary scale to those with minimum training and starting salaries is comparatively low. (1.21 Ratio, rank 40/44 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In lower secondary education, the salary ratio of teachers with maximum qualifications at the top of the salary scale to those with minimum training and starting salaries is comparatively low. (1.21 Ratio, rank 40/44 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In upper secondary education, the salary ratio of teachers with maximum qualifications at the top of the salary scale to those with minimum training and starting salaries is relatively low. (1.21 Ratio, rank 42/44 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    In Norway, the proportion of fully qualified teachers in primary and secondary schools is one of the smallest among OECD and participating countries. (82.4 %, rank 27/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of fully qualified primary and secondary teachers who left the profession is relatively low compared to other participating countries. (5.2 %, rank 18/24 , 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 Norway. (-5.4 % points, rank 21/27 , 2023) 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. (9.2 Ratio, rank 34/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The number of students per teacher in primary schools is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner countries with available data. (9.8 Ratio, rank 40/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level is especially low. (7.8 Ratio, rank 38/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level is especially low. (10.3 Ratio, rank 35/42 , 2024) 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 Ratio, rank 36/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, 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. (9.1 Ratio, rank 31/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the ratio of children to contact staff in pre-primary education is one of the lowest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.6 Ratio, rank 24/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the number of students per teacher in public lower secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.7 Ratio, rank 40/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in government-dependent private institutions is especially low in Norway. (9.9 Ratio, rank 18/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the lower secondary level in independent private institutions is especially low in Norway. (6.9 Ratio, rank 23/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the number of students per teacher in all public secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.8 Ratio, rank 37/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the secondary level in independent private institutions is especially low in Norway. (6.9 Ratio, rank 25/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the number of students per teacher in public institutions at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (8.2 Ratio, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the number of students per teacher in government-dependent private institutions at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (14.2 Ratio, rank 12/17 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the student-teacher ratio for bachelor's, master's, doctoral or equivalent programmes in public institutions is among the lowest across participating countries. (8.1 Ratio, rank 33/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the student-teacher ratio for bachelor's, master's, doctoral or equivalent programmes in government-dependent private institutions is among the lowest across participating countries. (12.8 Ratio, rank 11/13 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway the ratio of children to contact staff in early childhood educational development is one of the lowest compared to the other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.6 Ratio, rank 16/17 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high in Norway compared to other participating countries. (84.5 %, rank 8/40 , 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. (89.6 %, rank 1/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (74.1 %, rank 31/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (74.6 %, rank 32/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    In Norway, the share of employed 25-64 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (75.7 %, rank 32/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low across surveyed countries. (2.7 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low across surveyed countries. (3.2 %, rank 32/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively low across surveyed countries. (1.8 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low across surveyed countries. (5.5 %, rank 31/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low across surveyed countries. (2.5 %, rank 37/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (1.7 %, rank 32/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (1.9 %, rank 31/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (4.5 %, rank 30/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Norway. (3 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old women with upper secondary or a post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low across surveyed countries. (1.9 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (2.6 %, rank 39/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (9.4 %, rank 28/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (3 %, rank 30/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (2.7 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old men with below upper secondary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (1.4 %, rank 36/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old women with below upper secondary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (2.5 %, rank 30/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Norway compared to other participating countries. (0.3 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or a post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.9 %, rank 31/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or a post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.9 %, rank 31/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.3 %, rank 30/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.2 %, rank 32/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2 %, rank 29/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Norway. (4.1 %, rank 30/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    In Norway, 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. (2.1 %, rank 22/25 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (2.7 %, rank 34/34 , 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. (118 Index, rank 29/29 , 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. (120.3 %, rank 22/25 , 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. (158.3 %, rank 20/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds full- and part-time with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively low in Norway. (56.9 %, rank 29/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively high in Norway. (86.2 %, rank 7/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of workers earning more than twice the median among those with a master's or doctoral or equivalent education degree is comparatively small. (19.5 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of workers earning more than twice the median among those with a tertiary education degree is comparatively small. (12 Index, rank 25/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The relative earnings of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent attainment in Norway were among the lowest across countries with available data. (99 Index, rank 24/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (107 Index, rank 15/18 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (118 Index, rank 15/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (121 Index, rank 15/20 , 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 Norway. (113 Index, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (125 Index, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (145 Index, rank 28/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (117 Index, rank 20/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (123 Index, rank 23/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Norway. (130 Index, rank 23/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the relative earnings for 45-54 year-old workers with tertiary attainment are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment. (126 Index, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the relative earnings for 25-34 year-old workers with master's or doctoral or equivalent degree are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment. (113 Index, rank 23/23 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with below upper secondary education in Norway, the proportion earning between 0.5 and 1 times the median is comparatively low. (26 Index, rank 28/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Among workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Norway, the proportion earning between 0.5 and 1 times the median is comparatively low. (30 Index, rank 28/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings and skill level

    In Norway, 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. (13.3 %, rank 21/29 , 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 smallest in Norway compared with other countries with available data. (59.3 %, rank 18/21 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (125 Index, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (123 Index, rank 29/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among full- and part-time 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (57.1 %, rank 28/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education (full- and part-time workers) are among the lowest across countries with available data. (64.9 %, rank 27/30 , 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 Norway is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (4.4 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Norway is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (6.6 %, rank 37/38 , 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 Norway is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (0 %, rank 30/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women without an upper secondary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (35 %, rank 30/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training without an upper secondary education in Norway is relatively low. (27.7 %, rank 31/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary in Norway is relatively low. (7.1 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women with tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (6.5 %, rank 32/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with tertiary education in Norway is relatively low. (5.5 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (5.2 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are unemployed NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (1.6 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (4.4 %, rank 35/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (3.8 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are unemployed NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (1.7 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are inactive NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (4.3 %, rank 35/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of men who are unemployed NEET (18-24 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (2.6 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of inactive NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (4.5 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed NEET (15-29 year-olds) in Norway is relatively low. (1.7 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of 18-29 year-olds with literacy proficiency at Level 2 or below in the Adult Skills Survey who were NEET was among the smallest across countries with available data. (11.1 %, rank 27/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of 18-29 year-olds with literacy proficiency at Level 3 or above in the Adult Skills Survey who were NEET was among the smallest in Norway compared with other countries with available data. (5.6 %, rank 24/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 20-24 year-olds in Norway is relatively small. (6.8 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 25-29 year-olds in Norway is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.8 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds in Norway is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.2 %, rank 39/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of men neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (5.6 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of women neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (6.8 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Among 20-24 year-old men in Norway, a small share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (6.1 %, rank 36/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Among 25-29 year-old men in Norway, a small share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (7.5 %, rank 36/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the percentage of women neither employed nor in education or training among 20-24 year-olds is relatively low. (7.5 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of young women neither employed nor in education or training (25-29 year-olds) in Norway is comparatively low . (10.1 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 18-24 year-olds who are neither employed nor in education or training is comparatively small in Norway. (6.6 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old men neither employed nor in education or training is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (6.9 %, rank 36/38 , 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. (6.2 %, rank 36/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Social outcomes

    In Norway, the share of employed women 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. (39.4 %, rank 10/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment, the share who sometimes or usually work from home in Norway was among the largest across countries with available data. (23.9 %, rank 6/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of employed adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who sometimes or usually work from home was among the highest in Norway compared with other countries with available data. (31.9 %, rank 4/32 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of employed adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment who sometimes or usually work from home was among the largest across countries with available data. (62.7 %, rank 4/32 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the largest across countries with available data. (54.6 %, rank 1/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the largest across countries with available data. (45 %, rank 3/26 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Norway, the share of adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the largest across countries with available data. (62.6 %, rank 3/26 , 2024) 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.
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
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    Key
    Diagram of funding flows - Norway

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

    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.