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A view of China

Photo: Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21 · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

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.

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 · 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
  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 · 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
  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

    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
  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

    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

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.

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

The whole world on education & knowledge

China 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)
Kyrgyzstan=38th2.98286.293.426.827
Hong Kong40th1.40599.2—3.803
Indiacompare44th0.10494.4265.05—
China51st——89.823.897
Mongolia63rd8.56498.4490.283.658
Vietnam75th1.73294.4351.98—
Kazakhstan76th6.40276.4997.864.865
Russiacompare83rd4.93583.3591.44.165
Tajikistan108th4.15111.4485.225.437
Nepal111th2.03480.0242.483.956
Bhutan120th10.542.0776.825.845
Macau=131st10.7988.18—3.502
Laos170th10.3467.0636.41.234
Pakistancompare=176th17.9350.9138.951.947
Myanmar192nd—12.0624.38—
Afghanistannot placed——36.28—
North Koreanot 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.

Every country

Ahead of the world median14

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

  • Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8142.577No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.76No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7776.88▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.906No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9419.27No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.48▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,107No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6716.31▼ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.02▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32441No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9996.74No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0218.2No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2194.7▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6698.89▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Behind the world median6

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

  • Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.138No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.461No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2017 dataset

  • Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10099.21No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.036No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4940.32▼ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.071▼ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

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 2,2401,094,890No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 212No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3552.95Moved 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2791.811Moved 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 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 China 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 Eastern Asia

    South Korea8th3/4 keys
  4. 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.

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.

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 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.

Cite this page

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

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