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Sun setting over Lake Päijänne at Sysmä, Finland. On the right is Päijätsalo island which is part of the Päijätsalo natural park.

Photo: Joonas Lyytinen · CC BY-SA 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Education & Knowledge

joint31st

of 198 countries placed

Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Finland 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 · Finland’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    1.766

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

    Lower is better

    Finland: 1.766. 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
    Norway 1.378 · Russia 4.935 · Sweden 0.57
  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 · Finland’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    96.23

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

    Higher is better

    Finland: 96.23. 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
    Norway 97.51 · Russia 83.35 · Sweden 98.65
  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

    89.75

    Upper secondary completion rate (%)

    Higher is better

    Finland: 89.75. 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
    Norway 80.75 · Russia 91.4 · Sweden 89.13
  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

    No reading

    Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)

    Higher is better

    UIS publishes no 2023 figure for Finland, 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
    Land neighbours
    Russia 4.165

03In context

Finland 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.

Northern Europe
1st198thNot placed · 26 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on education & knowledge

Finland 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)
Sweden14th0.5798.6589.13—
Finland=31st1.76696.2389.75—
Norway37th1.37897.5180.75—
Russia83rd4.93583.3591.44.165

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

Placed either side on education & knowledge

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

04Context, no vote

Where Finland is ahead of the world, and behind

37 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 median29

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

  • Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.19142.4No real change since 2014

    Finland: 142.4 · 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 2nd of 109 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.94111.74No real change since 2010

    Finland: 11.74 · 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 3rd of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3419.49No real change since 2013

    Finland: 19.49 · 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 5th of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5919.63No real change since 2014

    Finland: 19.63 · 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 3rd of 77 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.958,315No earlier reading

    Finland: 8,315 · 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 6th of 145 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2199.7No real change since 2015

    Finland: 99.7 · 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 7th of 164 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32533.71▼ Worsened since 2010

    Finland: 533.71 · 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 8th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.77110.3No real change since 2014

    Finland: 110.3 · 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 5th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0896.48No earlier reading

    Finland: 96.48 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93312.98No real change since 2013

    Finland: 12.98 · 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 17th of 193 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.024.781No earlier reading

    Finland: 4.781 · 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 113th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93510.96▼ Worsened since 2012

    Finland: 510.96 · 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 9th of 79 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.305No earlier reading

    Finland: 0.305 · 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 136th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2017 dataset

  • Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8143.094▼ Worsened since 2013

    Finland: 3.094 · 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 11th of 84 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.876.39No earlier reading

    Finland: 76.39 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.975.15No earlier reading

    Finland: 75.15 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3431.276▲ Improved since 2014

    Finland: 1.276 · 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 97th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35490.22▼ Worsened since 2012

    Finland: 490.22 · 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 14th of 79 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5978.58No earlier reading

    Finland: 78.58 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.68▼ Worsened since 2015

    Finland: 99.68 · 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 30th of 165 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9391.83▲ Improved since 2014

    Finland: 91.83 · 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 27th of 120 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7682.07▲ Improved since 2013

    Finland: 82.07 · 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 22nd of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.66100No real change since 2016

    Finland: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09484.14▼ Worsened since 2012

    Finland: 484.14 · 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 20th of 79 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.49410.54▼ Worsened since 2014

    Finland: 10.54 · 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 22nd of 75 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8629.89▲ Improved since 2013

    Finland: 29.89 · 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 26th of 90 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.818▼ Worsened since 2015

    Finland: 0.818 · 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 54th of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8120.25▼ Worsened since 2012

    Finland: 20.25 · 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 22nd of 68 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.247▼ Worsened since 2014

    Finland: 1.247 · 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 48th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100No real change since 2016

    Finland: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

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 34.3564.51No real change since 2018

    Finland: 64.51 · 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

  • Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6018.342Moved since 2014

    Finland: 8.342 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24025,665No real change since 2022

    Finland: 25,665 · 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 25No earlier reading

    Finland: 5 · 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

  • Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1734.6No earlier reading

    Finland: 34.6 · 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

  • Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.333.22Moved since 2014

    Finland: 33.22 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2792.611Moved since 2013

    Finland: 2.611 · 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 Finland 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 Europe

    Greece2nd3/4 keys
  3. Highest in Northern Europe

    Lithuania5th3/4 keys
  4. This page

    Finland=31st3/4 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

Finland 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 Finland rank on education & knowledge?

Finland is placed joint 31st 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 Finland?

1.766 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 Finland?

96.23 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 Finland compare with Russia on education & knowledge?

Russia is placed 83rd of 198, and Finland joint 31st. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Russia 4.935, Finland 1.766; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Russia 83.35, Finland 96.23; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Russia 91.4, Finland 89.75.

How have Finland’s education & knowledge figures changed?

Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 1.127 in 2001 to 1.766 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 90.89 in 2001 to 96.23 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 87.68 in 2000 to 89.75 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 5.712 in 2000 to 6.376 in 2022.

Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Finland?

No current reading is published for Finland on Adult Literacy Rate, Government Spending on Education, 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.

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 37 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

Finland’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). Finland: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/finland/education

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