Review education policies
Examine the OECD's extensive research and analysis of education policy around the world. Get a quick overview of key insights and policy options for a wide range of topics in education. Or delve deeper into the OECD knowledge base through quick and easy access to related websites and publications.
Education is complex. Policies and practices, as well as inputs, processes and outcomes, stand in a dynamic relationship with each other. Explore how different topics can be related through a visual network of education policy.
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Research & Innovation in education
Attainment
Educational attainment is frequently used to measure human capital and skills in a population, reflecting the percentage of people who have reached specific education levels. Higher attainment is linked to better employment prospects and higher earnings, motivating individuals to pursue further education and governments to invest in skill development. In recent decades, OECD countries have seen rising attainment levels, with tertiary education expanding and upper secondary qualifications becoming standard. Some nations have strengthened vocational education (VET) to align skills with labour market needs, significantly impacting attainment rates. However, gender gaps persist, with more women achieving higher education levels than men but still facing lower employment rates and wages. More
Financing education
Education is a crucial investment in the future, providing significant economic and social benefits to individuals and societies. While largely funded by public budgets, education expenditure also comes from private sources, influenced by factors such as enrolment rates, teacher salaries, instructional costs, and student-teacher ratios. Policymakers must balance expanding access with improving quality, ensuring sustainable investment while addressing competing demands on public resources. Economic challenges, including financial crises, further impact funding and enrolment, requiring strategic decisions to maintain equitable and high-quality education systems. More
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Title
Glossary
| OECD Glossary of Statistical Terms |
| Glossary of OECD Education at a Glance |
| International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) |
Note
The development of education policies always needs to take into account country-specific traditions and features of respective education systems. Not all policy options are equally relevant for different countries, different contexts give rise to different priorities. In some countries, policy suggestions may already be in place; in others, they may have less relevance owing to specific social, economic and educational structures and traditions. Policy options rather distil potentially useful ideas and lessons from the experiences of countries that have been searching for ways to improve their education system. As policy options are removed from their wider analytical context, it is strongly advised that readers should refer back to the original OECD source for the fuller picture.