Educational attainment

In selected countries for which recent data are available (western Europe and some central and east European countries), the educational attainment of the population varies greatly. A large percentage of the adult population in south European countries – in particular Portugal (84%) and Spain, Italy and Greece (60-65%) - have an education at the lower secondary level. However, in Norway, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, more than 80% of the adult population has schooling to at least a higher secondary level. Norway had the highest percentage of women achieving at least the upper secondary level (80%). Within Europe, Lithuania and Norway stand out as having the highest percentage (30-40%) of the adult population with an education at the tertiary level (Figure 3.3 and Table 3.4).

Illiteracy

In most of the UNECE member countries, illiteracy is below 1%. The highest illiteracy rates in 2000 were in Albania (15.3) and Turkey (15.0). In all countries (except Malta) there are more illiterate women than men (Figure 3.2).

Schooling

Most children in the ECE region now complete compulsory schooling, which means that they attend school for 8-12 years depending on the country (Figure 3.3). The overall primary and secondary school enrolment rates in the European Union remained strong from 1989 to 2000 with most countries experiencing rates of 90-100 per cent enrolment in both primary and secondary age groups. Italy and the United Kingdom in particular raised the gross secondary school enrolment rates substantially. In central and eastern Europe the enrolment rates have increased in all countries, except for secondary schools in Albania. In the CIS countries on the other hand, secondary school enrolment rates in 2000 were highly variable from 97% in Kazakhstan to 41% in Tajikistan. (Table 3.4).

Tertiary education

Enrolment in tertiary education is highest in North America and Finland (over 50 students per 1000 population). In general, the tertiary enrolment rates have increased from 1980 to 2000. Some countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland and Slovenia have more than doubled their enrolment levels. In central and eastern Europe, most countries have experienced more modest increases. In many of the CIS countries on the other hand, tertiary education enrolment rates have fallen (Table 3.5).

Women in education

The proportion of female students in tertiary education has generally increased since 1980. In most countries women make up more than 50 per cent of tertiary students. In nine UNECE countries even 60 per cent or more of university students are women whereas in only one country (Tajikistan) men account for 60 per cent or more of the students. Women tend to predominate in degree courses in education, medicine, humanities and the arts whereas men form the majority in agriculture, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and sciences (Table 3.6). The countries possessing the greatest gap in the ratio of male to female tertiary students were Tajikistan, Turkey and Switzerland. (Figure 3.7).

Teachers

The share of female teachers varies according to level. While nearly all countries have more women teachers at the primary and secondary level (at primary level often over 80%), only a few countries such as Armenia, Kazakhstan and Latvia had percentages of female tertiary teachers exceeding 70%. (Table 3.8).

Expenditure on education

While Israel had the highest total expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP, Estonia and the Scandinavian countries were also among the highest spenders on education. (Table 3.9).

Research and development

Sweden, Israel, Finland and the United States invested the most in research and development while Iceland, Finland and Sweden had the highest number of researchers per inhabitant in 2000. (Figures 3.11 and 3.12).

Tables and charts

The following tables are available in the restricted area (if you do not have a user ID and password, register here.):

3.1 Educational attainment by sex, 25 years and over

3.2 Illiteracy rate (population older than 15), 2000

3.3 National education systems

3.4 Current educational participation

3.5 Students in tertiary education

3.6 Percentage of female university students, selected fields of study, latest year

3.7 Gender differential among university students, 1997/2001

3.8 Pupil-teacher ratios and percentage female teachers at each level

3.9 Total expenditure on education as a % of GDP, latest year

3.10 Expenditure per student on tertiary education, 1999

3.11 Researchers per inhabitants

3.12 Expenditure on research and development, % of GDP