
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Denmark: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Denmark is placed 36th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 0.893 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 97.07 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
36th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 0.893Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 97.07Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 76.72Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- —Government Spending on Education, 2023No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Denmark 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 · Denmark’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.893
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Denmark: 0.893. 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 Northern Europe
- 0.07 United Kingdom
- Land neighbours
- Germany 0.274
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Denmark’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
97.07
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Denmark: 97.07. 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 Northern Europe
- 99.56 Lithuania
- Land neighbours
- Germany 98.37
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
76.72
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Denmark: 76.72. 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 Northern Europe
- 95.09 Ireland
- Land neighbours
- Germany 80.95
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
UIS publishes no 2023 figure for Denmark, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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
02Over time
Which way Denmark 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.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark rose from 0.26 in 2001 to 0.893 in 2024; the world median went from 4.051 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2024 0.893 3.691 2023 0.849 3.393 2022 0.586 3.002 2021 0.470 3.330 2020 0.355 2.678 2019 0.404 2.758 2018 0.381 2.439 2017 0.562 2.907 2016 0.677 2.954 2015 0.625 3.052 2014 0.617 3.904 2013 0.495 3.413 2012 0.415 3.408 2011 0.485 3.626 2010 0.609 3.491 2009 0.491 3.577 2008 0.604 3.878 2007 0.507 4.029 2006 1.059 4.338 2005 1.954 4.571 2004 2.456 3.791 2003 — 4.412 2002 0.001 4.144 2001 0.260 4.051 2000 — 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark fell from 97.92 in 2001 to 97.07 in 2024; the world median went from 80.76 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2024 97.066 85.9 2023 96.323 87.6 2022 97.925 87.7 2021 98.057 87.0 2020 98.320 88.3 2019 98.434 88.8 2018 99.979 89.6 2017 98.040 87.4 2016 98.223 87.9 2015 98.501 88.2 2014 97.199 89.2 2013 99.075 88.0 2012 98.209 85.4 2011 98.308 86.2 2010 98.843 86.1 2009 94.413 84.8 2008 94.619 85.8 2007 96.288 86.7 2006 95.555 84.0 2005 95.455 82.2 2004 99.083 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 95.787 80.0 2001 97.915 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark fell from 78.43 in 2000 to 76.72 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2025 76.72 64.9 2024 76.46 65.0 2023 76.23 64.2 2022 75.95 63.6 2021 75.62 62.9 2020 75.37 62.2 2019 75.20 61.5 2018 74.97 60.9 2017 74.81 60.5 2016 74.69 60.1 2015 74.43 58.9 2014 74.15 57.0 2013 73.92 54.7 2012 73.86 52.4 2011 73.92 50.9 2010 74.15 49.5 2009 74.44 48.5 2008 74.86 47.4 2007 75.17 46.2 2006 75.51 45.0 2005 75.98 43.8 2004 76.60 42.9 2003 77.23 41.6 2002 77.79 40.3 2001 78.20 39.0 2000 78.43 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark fell from 8.09 in 2000 to 6.356 in 2022; the world median went from 3.886 to 4.057.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2023 — 3.7092 2022 6.356 4.0570 2021 6.959 4.2611 2020 7.386 4.4056 2019 7.276 4.1407 2018 7.327 4.2159 2017 7.370 4.1401 2016 7.715 4.2342 2015 — 4.2386 2014 7.638 4.2005 2013 8.469 4.3493 2012 7.246 4.0348 2011 8.477 3.9987 2010 8.550 4.1396 2009 8.413 4.6638 2008 7.442 4.4226 2007 7.597 4.1717 2006 7.716 4.0593 2005 8.065 4.0557 2004 8.188 3.9745 2003 8.110 4.1595 2002 8.206 4.0173 2001 8.211 4.1002 2000 8.090 3.8861
03In context
Denmark 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.
Denmark 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| =19th | 0.274 | 98.37 | 80.95 | — | |
| 36th | 0.893 | 97.07 | 76.72 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below Denmark in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Denmark is ahead of the world, and behind
36 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 median28
Statistics on which Denmark does better than the middle country measured.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.1710.446No earlier reading
Denmark: 0.171 · 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 151st of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.958,838701.95No earlier reading
Denmark: 8,838 · 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 4th of 145 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2199.7489.21No real change since 2015
Denmark: 99.74 · 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 5th of 164 · derived.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.19125.6393.19No real change since 2014
Denmark: 125.63 · 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 5th of 109 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.9297.43No real change since 2015
Denmark: 99.92 · 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 10th of 165 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3418.713.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Denmark: 18.7 · 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 13th of 195 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93313.039.933No real change since 2013
Denmark: 13.03 · 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 15th of 193 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.979.5548.9No earlier reading
Denmark: 79.55 · world median 48.9 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.73 to 91.73; higher is better.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5918.1114.59▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 18.11 · 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 8th of 77 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32517.88414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Denmark: 517.88 · 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 17th of 172 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5981.0358.59No earlier reading
Denmark: 81.03 · world median 58.59 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 5.043 to 88.83; higher is better.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.025.13734.02No earlier reading
Denmark: 5.137 · 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 112th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.94111.17.941▲ Improved since 2010
Denmark: 11.1 · 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 22nd of 172 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8750.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Denmark: 0.875 · 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 24th of 176 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8143.0480.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Denmark: 3.048 · 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 12th of 84 · derived.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3431.0686.343▲ Improved since 2014
Denmark: 1.068 · 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 100th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09489.27442.09▲ Improved since 2012
Denmark: 489.27 · world median 442.09 · Mean mathematics score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 336.4 to 574.66; higher is better.
Position 13th of 79 · derived.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9395.0765.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 95.07 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 20th of 120 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7778.9652.77▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 78.96 · 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 17th of 95 · derived.
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35488.8440.35▲ Improved since 2012
Denmark: 488.8 · world median 440.35 · Mean reading score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 328.84 to 542.55; higher is better.
Position 15th of 79 · derived.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8633.6219.86▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 33.62 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.
Position 17th of 90 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6610098.66No real change since 2016
Denmark: 100 · 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.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93493.82446.93▲ Improved since 2012
Denmark: 493.82 · world median 446.93 · Mean science score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 347.1 to 561.43; higher is better.
Position 20th of 79 · derived.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8120.1917.81▼ Worsened since 2012
Denmark: 20.19 · world median 17.81 · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 3.771 to 34.57; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 68 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7678.0665.76▼ Worsened since 2013
Denmark: 78.06 · world median 65.76 · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.26 to 97.89; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 95 · derived.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4949.8835.494▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 9.883 · 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 26th of 75 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.856.2143.8No earlier reading
Denmark: 56.21 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.2941.244▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 1.294 · 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 56th of 95 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Denmark: 100 · 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.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3562.7534.35Moved since 2018
Denmark: 62.75 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24033,3962,240No real change since 2022
Denmark: 33,396 · 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
Denmark: 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.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6016.1155.601Moved since 2014
Denmark: 6.115 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1737.9738.17No earlier reading
Denmark: 37.97 · 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.
Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.335.1335.3Moved since 2014
Denmark: 35.13 · world median 35.3 · STEM graduates who are women (%; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.333 to 55.96.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2792.0065.279No real change since 2013
Denmark: 2.006 · 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 Denmark
Adult Literacy Rate, Government Spending on Education (last 2022), Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion and Youth Literacy Rate. 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 Denmark’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Denmark’s 15th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Governance & Institutions1st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties2nd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital3rd of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience3rd of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation6th of 1764/4 keys
- Energyjoint 8th of 1653/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture10th of 1844/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 18th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade17th of 1774/4 keys
- Peace & Security20th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour21st of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality22nd of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing33rd of 2003/4 keys
- Gender & Equality31st of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge36th of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 139th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Denmark 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 Europe
Greece2nd3/4 keys
Highest in Northern Europe
Lithuania5th3/4 keys
This page
Denmark36th3/4 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
Denmark 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 Denmark rank on education & knowledge?
Denmark is placed 36th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary and Upper Secondary Completion Rate). 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 Denmark?
0.893 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 Denmark?
97.07 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 Denmark compare with Germany on education & knowledge?
Germany is placed joint 19th of 198, and Denmark 36th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Germany 0.274, Denmark 0.893; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Germany 98.37, Denmark 97.07; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Germany 80.95, Denmark 76.72.
How have Denmark’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 0.26 in 2001 to 0.893 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 97.92 in 2001 to 97.07 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate fell from 78.43 in 2000 to 76.72 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 8.09 in 2000 to 6.356 in 2022.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Denmark?
No current reading is published for Denmark on Adult Literacy Rate, Government Spending on Education, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion and Youth Literacy Rate. 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.
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 36 statistics on this page come from 9 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
Denmark’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Denmark (banner) — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 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). Denmark: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/denmark/education