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Paro Taktsang (spa phro stag tshang / spa gro stag tshang), is the popular name of Taktsang Palphug Monastery (also known as The Tiger's Nest),[1] a…

Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Education & Knowledge

120th

of 198 countries placed

Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Bhutan on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 4

    Out-of-School Rate, Primary

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Bhutan’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    10.5

    Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)

    Lower is better

    Bhutan: 10.5. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.

    World median
    3.691
    Best in Southern Asia
    0.103 Iran
    Land neighbours
    India 0.104
  2. Key 2 of 4

    Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Bhutan’s is from 2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    42.07

    Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)

    Higher is better

    Bhutan: 42.07. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.

    World median
    85.9
    Best in Southern Asia
    94.42 India
    Land neighbours
    India 94.42
  3. Key 3 of 4

    Upper Secondary Completion Rate

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    76.82

    Upper secondary completion rate (%)

    Higher is better

    Bhutan: 76.82. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.

    World median
    64.87
    Best in Southern Asia
    76.82 Bhutan
    Land neighbours
    China 89.82 · India 65.05
  4. Key 4 of 4

    Government Spending on Education

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    5.845

    Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)

    Higher is better

    Bhutan: 5.845. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.

    World median
    3.709
    Best in Southern Asia
    5.845 Bhutan
    Land neighbours
    China 3.897

03In context

Bhutan beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.

Southern Asia
1st198thNot placed · 26 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on education & knowledge

Bhutan and the countries it borders

Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingOut-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%)Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%)Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP)
India44th0.10494.4265.05—
China51st——89.823.897
Bhutan120th10.542.0776.825.845

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Southern Asia

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.

Placed either side on education & knowledge

The countries immediately above and below Bhutan in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Bhutan is ahead of the world, and behind

25 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median2

Statistics on which Bhutan does better than the middle country measured.

  • Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.66100No real change since 2015

    Bhutan: 100 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.398No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 0.398 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.

    Position 104th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2017 dataset

Behind the world median20

Statistics on which Bhutan does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.109▼ Worsened since 2017

    Bhutan: 1.109 · world median 1.244 · Adjusted gender parity index, tertiary gross enrolment (1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.74 to 1.83; higher is better.

    Position 20th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2188.34▲ Improved since 2015

    Bhutan: 88.34 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 86th of 164 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2297.73No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 97.73 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.15▲ Improved since 2013

    Bhutan: 13.15 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.

    Position 106th of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6687.57▲ Improved since 2018

    Bhutan: 87.57 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4393.56▲ Improved since 2015

    Bhutan: 93.56 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 102nd of 165 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5913.62▲ Improved since 2018

    Bhutan: 13.62 · world median 14.59 · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 7.478 to 21.01; higher is better.

    Position 49th of 77 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10099.21▲ Improved since 2017

    Bhutan: 99.21 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.34310.09▲ Improved since 2015

    Bhutan: 10.09 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.

    Position 42nd of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6727.21▲ Improved since 2015

    Bhutan: 27.21 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.

    Position 33rd of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.401▲ Improved since 2015

    Bhutan: 0.401 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.

    Position 116th of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95236.31No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 236.31 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.

    Position 98th of 145 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32386.74No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 386.74 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.

    Position 118th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9416.327No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 6.327 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.

    Position 118th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1986.18▼ Worsened since 2014

    Bhutan: 86.18 · world median 93.19 · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 19.87 to 158.55; higher is better.

    Position 76th of 109 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.213No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 0.213 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9335.836▲ Improved since 2013

    Bhutan: 5.836 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.

    Position 162nd of 193 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9964.91No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 64.91 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 147th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7713.01▼ Worsened since 2017

    Bhutan: 13.01 · world median 52.77 · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.566 to 141.86; higher is better.

    Position 84th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.108No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 0.108 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.

    Position 76th of 84 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

No better end3

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.27994.57No real change since 2013

    Bhutan: 94.57 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,240223Moved since 2022

    Bhutan: 223 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1725.34No earlier reading

    Bhutan: 25.34 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

06The top of the list

Who leads on education & knowledge

The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Bhutan can most readily be measured against.

All 198 countries
  1. 1

    United Arab Emirates

    Western Asia

    1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys

    Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  2. 2

    Greece

    Southern Europe

    2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  3. 3

    Poland

    Eastern Europe

    3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest placed on all 4 keys

    Moldova7th4/4 keys
  2. Highest in Asia

    United Arab Emirates1st2/4 keys
  3. Highest in Southern Asia

    India44th3/4 keys
  4. This page

    Bhutan120th4/4 keys

Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

07Questions

Bhutan on education & knowledge: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Bhutan rank on education & knowledge?

Bhutan is placed 120th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Bhutan?

10.5 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.

What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Bhutan?

42.07 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.

How does Bhutan compare with India on education & knowledge?

India is placed 44th of 198, and Bhutan 120th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: India 0.104, Bhutan 10.5; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: India 94.42, Bhutan 42.07; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: India 65.05, Bhutan 76.82.

How have Bhutan’s education & knowledge figures changed?

Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 41.08 in 2000 to 10.5 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 4.39 in 2000 to 42.07 in 2020; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 23.73 in 2000 to 76.82 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 5.787 in 2000 to 5.845 in 2023.

Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Bhutan?

No current reading is published for Bhutan on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Trust in Scientists and Upper Secondary Attainment. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

08Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.

About education & knowledge, in full

How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.

The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 25 statistics on this page come from 5 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Bhutan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Bhutan: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bhutan/education

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