
Photo: Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21 · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
China: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
China is placed 51st of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Upper Secondary Completion Rate 89.82 (2025); Government Spending on Education 3.897 (2023).
Share
Education & Knowledge
51st
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 4 key statistics
- —Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024No reading for this country
- —Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024No reading for this country
- 89.82Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 3.897Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place China 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.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
UIS publishes no reading from 2014–2024 for China, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 Eastern Asia
- 0.056 South Korea
- Land neighbours
- Bhutan 10.5 · Hong Kong 1.405 · India 0.104 · Kazakhstan 6.402 · Kyrgyzstan 2.982 · Laos 10.34 · Macau 10.79 · Mongolia 8.564 · Nepal 2.034 · Pakistan 17.93 · Russia 4.935 · Tajikistan 4.151 · Vietnam 1.732
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
UIS publishes no reading from 2014–2024 for China, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 Eastern Asia
- 99.2 Hong Kong
- Land neighbours
- Bhutan 42.07 · Hong Kong 99.2 · India 94.42 · Kazakhstan 76.49 · Kyrgyzstan 86.2 · Laos 67.06 · Macau 88.18 · Myanmar 12.06 · Mongolia 98.44 · Nepal 80.02 · Pakistan 50.91 · Russia 83.35 · Tajikistan 11.44 · Vietnam 94.43
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
89.82
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
China: 89.82. 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 Eastern Asia
- 99.27 South Korea
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 36.28 · Bhutan 76.82 · India 65.05 · Kazakhstan 97.86 · Kyrgyzstan 93.42 · Laos 36.4 · Myanmar 24.38 · Mongolia 90.28 · Nepal 42.48 · Pakistan 38.95 · Russia 91.4 · Tajikistan 85.22 · Vietnam 51.98
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.897
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
China: 3.897. 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 Eastern Asia
- 3.897 China
- Land neighbours
- Bhutan 5.845 · Hong Kong 3.803 · Kazakhstan 4.865 · Kyrgyzstan 6.827 · Laos 1.234 · Macau 3.502 · Mongolia 3.658 · Nepal 3.956 · Pakistan 1.947 · Russia 4.165 · Tajikistan 5.437
02Over time
Which way China is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 28.23 in 2000 to 89.82 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2025 89.8 64.9 2024 88.4 65.0 2023 86.8 64.2 2022 85.0 63.6 2021 82.9 62.9 2020 80.6 62.2 2019 78.1 61.5 2018 75.4 60.9 2017 72.7 60.5 2016 69.8 60.1 2015 66.9 58.9 2014 64.0 57.0 2013 60.5 54.7 2012 56.4 52.4 2011 51.9 50.9 2010 47.5 49.5 2009 43.7 48.5 2008 40.4 47.4 2007 37.6 46.2 2006 35.3 45.0 2005 33.6 43.8 2004 32.4 42.9 2003 31.4 41.6 2002 30.6 40.3 2001 29.6 39.0 2000 28.2 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 1.387 in 1971 to 3.897 in 2023; the world median went from 3.377 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2023 3.8971 3.7092 2022 — 4.0570 2021 — 4.2611 2020 — 4.4056 2019 — 4.1407 2018 — 4.2159 2017 — 4.1401 2016 — 4.2342 2015 — 4.2386 2014 — 4.2005 2013 — 4.3493 2012 — 4.0348 2011 — 3.9987 2010 — 4.1396 2009 — 4.6638 2008 — 4.4226 2007 — 4.1717 2006 — 4.0593 2005 — 4.0557 2004 — 3.9745 2003 — 4.1595 2002 — 4.0173 2001 — 4.1002 2000 — 3.8861 1999 1.8712 4.2121 1998 1.8300 3.8345 1996 1.8432 3.8907 1995 1.8327 4.0818 1994 1.9766 4.6173 1993 1.6511 4.6546 1992 1.6484 4.1193 1991 — 3.9059 1990 — 3.6362 1989 — 4.0778 1988 1.7612 4.0475 1987 1.8011 3.8938 1986 2.0578 3.9738 1985 2.0044 4.0902 1984 1.9948 4.0637 1983 2.0729 4.4777 1982 2.0306 4.5327 1981 1.9453 4.2949 1980 1.9085 4.2333 1979 2.1445 4.1546 1978 1.9556 4.2106 1977 1.7466 4.4738 1976 1.8135 4.3127 1975 1.7058 4.1545 1973 1.6482 3.4857 1972 1.6022 3.6206 1971 1.3865 3.3770
03In context
China 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.
China and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| =38th | 2.982 | 86.2 | 93.42 | 6.827 | |
| 40th | 1.405 | 99.2 | — | 3.803 | |
| 44th | 0.104 | 94.42 | 65.05 | — | |
| 51st | — | — | 89.82 | 3.897 | |
| 63rd | 8.564 | 98.44 | 90.28 | 3.658 | |
| 75th | 1.732 | 94.43 | 51.98 | — | |
| 76th | 6.402 | 76.49 | 97.86 | 4.865 | |
| 83rd | 4.935 | 83.35 | 91.4 | 4.165 | |
| 108th | 4.151 | 11.44 | 85.22 | 5.437 | |
| 111th | 2.034 | 80.02 | 42.48 | 3.956 | |
| 120th | 10.5 | 42.07 | 76.82 | 5.845 | |
| =131st | 10.79 | 88.18 | — | 3.502 | |
| 170th | 10.34 | 67.06 | 36.4 | 1.234 | |
| =176th | 17.93 | 50.91 | 38.95 | 1.947 | |
| 192nd | — | 12.06 | 24.38 | — | |
| not placed | — | — | 36.28 | — | |
| not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern 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 China in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where China is ahead of the world, and behind
24 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.
Ahead of the world median14
Statistics on which China does better than the middle country measured.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8142.5770.814No real change since 2013
China: 2.577 · 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 15th of 84 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.7698.22No earlier reading
China: 99.76 · 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.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7776.8852.77▲ Improved since 2014
China: 76.88 · 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 20th of 95 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.9060.529No earlier reading
China: 0.906 · 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.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9419.277.941No real change since 2017
China: 9.27 · 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 50th of 172 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.4813.34▲ Improved since 2013
China: 15.48 · 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 58th of 195 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,107701.95No earlier reading
China: 2,107 · 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 46th of 145 · derived.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6716.3120.67▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 16.31 · 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 62nd of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.0297.43▲ Improved since 2015
China: 99.02 · 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 57th of 165 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32441414.32No real change since 2017
China: 441 · 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 61st of 172 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9996.7493.99No earlier reading
China: 96.74 · 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 62nd of 172 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0218.234.02No earlier reading
China: 18.2 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 78th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2194.789.21▲ Improved since 2015
China: 94.7 · 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 63rd of 164 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6698.8998.66▲ Improved since 2016
China: 98.89 · 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.
Behind the world median6
Statistics on which China does worse than the middle country measured.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.1381.244No real change since 2014
China: 1.138 · 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 23rd of 95 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4610.446No earlier reading
China: 0.461 · 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 70th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10099.21100No real change since 2017
China: 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.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.0369.933No real change since 2013
China: 8.036 · 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 127th of 193 · derived.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4940.325.494▼ Worsened since 2014
China: 0.32 · world median 5.494 · Inbound mobility rate, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.12; higher is better.
Position 71st of 75 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.0710.619▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 0.071 · 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 167th of 176 · derived.
No better end4
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2401,094,8902,240No real change since 2022
China: 1,094,890 · 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.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 2122No earlier reading
China: 12 · world median 2 · Laureates born in the country, 1901 to date (people). Nobel Prize Outreach, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 296.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3552.9534.35Moved since 2018
China: 52.95 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2791.8115.279Moved since 2013
China: 1.811 · 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.
No current reading for China
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2020), Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, 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, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 1994), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, School Life Expectancy (last 2012), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2012), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2020). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“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
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among China’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is China’s 6th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture6th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade9th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 23rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing47th of 2003/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality39th of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge51st of 1982/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 46th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital62nd of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labour60th of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience80th of 1934/4 keys
- Energyjoint 87th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security102nd of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions125th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality124th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability157th of 1864/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties178th of 1983/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders China can most readily be measured against.
1United Arab Emirates
Western Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2Greece
Southern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3Poland
Eastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keys
Highest in Asia
United Arab Emirates1st2/4 keys
Highest in Eastern Asia
South Korea8th3/4 keys
This page
China51st2/4 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.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about China and education & knowledge
08Questions
China 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 China rank on education & knowledge?
China is placed 51st of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics (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 Upper Secondary Completion Rate figure for China?
89.82 in 2025 (upper secondary completion rate (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 64.87.
What is the latest Government Spending on Education figure for China?
3.897 in 2023 (government expenditure on education (% of GDP)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.709.
How does China compare with India on education & knowledge?
India is placed 44th of 198, and China 51st. Upper Secondary Completion Rate: India 65.05, China 89.82.
How have China’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 28.23 in 2000 to 89.82 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 1.387 in 1971 to 3.897 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for China?
No current reading is published for China on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, 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, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes and Upper Secondary Attainment. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
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.
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
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 8 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
China’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- China (banner) — Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21, Public domain
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). China: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/china/education
