The most educated countries in the world: do you know them?

For those aiming to study abroad, being surrounded by people with a good education level means a lot when making a decision. This OCDE ranking shows the most educated countries worldwide, according to the number of higher education diplomas.

There’s a famous Portuguese saying that points out: “Join the best, and you will be one of them”. If you consider this when choosing your study destination, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found something that might interest you: the percentage of people who, at the very least, completed an undergraduate degree in the world's most developed countries up to 2011. Regarding the total resident population in each of those countries, the percentages obtained reveal the places where most people between 25 and 64 completed higher education, although this study contemplates various other education aspects.

1. Russian Federation

In Russia, more precisely, the Russian Federation, more than half the population (53%) has, at least, a college degree. The percentage of people having completed secondary education is impressive - 95% - compared with the OECD average, which is 75%. Half European, half Asian, Russia is also one of the countries that has invested more on its students’ education in the past, though it appears now in the last positions in terms of investment.

2. Canada

Just behind the Russians, Canadians holding one graduation diploma on their walls complete 51% of the country’s population between 25 and 64 years old. Recognized as one of biggest world investors on technology and science, it is also not surprising that in 2010, Canada has spent an average of $16,000 a year per student in higher education.

3. Japan

With 46% of the population with a tertiary education in 2011, Japan is also featuring on the list of countries registering little investment on education currently. Regarding secondary education, this Eastern Asian country has also one of the world's best scores: in 2011, 96% of the Japanese people – from 25 to 65 - had concluded high school, according to OECD.

4. Israel

Not far from the podium, Israel has about 46% of its population holding a college degree. Moreover, the average age registered when joining college is relatively higher than in other countries, explained by the Israelite's duty of military enlisting around the age of 19 years old. Despite not being perhaps the most recognized option when we think about education, Israel may be becoming one of the most promising countries in this area.

5. United States

Closing the top 5 for most educated countries we find the United States, with 42% of its residents with an undergraduate degree featuring on their resume. According to statistics, in 2010, the U.S. invested less in education than in the previous years, although it is still the country spending more money per year with each student among all OECD countries: almost $23,000.