Photo: User:Gire 3pich2005 , derived: User:Nastoshka · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iran: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Iran is placed 104th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 0.103 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 59.82 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
104th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.103Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 59.82Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 75.5Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 2.824Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iran 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 · Iran’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.103
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Iran: 0.103. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.103 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Armenia 1.084 · Azerbaijan 0.027 · Pakistan 17.93 · Turkmenistan 4.308 · Türkiye 0.603
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Iran’s is from 2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0
59.82
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Iran: 59.82. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Southern Asia
- 94.42 India
- Land neighbours
- Armenia 31.98 · Azerbaijan 83.49 · Pakistan 50.91 · Turkmenistan 35.38 · Türkiye 98.02
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
75.5
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Iran: 75.5. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Southern Asia
- 76.82 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 36.28 · Armenia 94.42 · Azerbaijan 95.87 · Iraq 57.15 · Pakistan 38.95 · Turkmenistan 95.38 · Türkiye 78.12
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
2.824
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Iran: 2.824. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Southern Asia
- 5.845 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Armenia 2.439 · Azerbaijan 3.66 · Pakistan 1.947 · Turkmenistan 2.713
02Over time
Which way Iran 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
IranWorld median
Iran fell from 16.72 in 2000 to 0.103 in 2023; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.393.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 0.1 3.393 2022 0.3 3.002 2021 — 3.330 2020 1.8 2.678 2019 1.6 2.758 2018 — 2.439 2017 2.6 2.907 2016 3.5 2.954 2015 3.8 3.052 2014 4.0 3.904 2013 2.2 3.413 2012 4.2 3.408 2011 4.8 3.626 2010 5.5 3.491 2009 4.7 3.577 2008 — 3.878 2007 5.4 4.029 2006 1.1 4.338 2005 0.9 4.571 2004 1.7 3.791 2003 2.4 4.412 2002 2.8 4.144 2001 — 4.051 2000 16.7 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran rose from 34.73 in 2003 to 59.82 in 2020; the world median went from 78.33 to 88.32.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 — 87.7 2021 — 87.0 2020 59.8 88.3 2019 61.8 88.8 2018 — 89.6 2017 — 87.4 2016 48.9 87.9 2015 46.7 88.2 2014 37.4 89.2 2013 34.9 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 34.7 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran rose from 45.01 in 2000 to 75.5 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2025 75.5 64.9 2024 74.6 65.0 2023 73.5 64.2 2022 72.3 63.6 2021 71.1 62.9 2020 69.9 62.2 2019 68.7 61.5 2018 67.6 60.9 2017 66.3 60.5 2016 65.2 60.1 2015 64.0 58.9 2014 62.7 57.0 2013 61.4 54.7 2012 60.0 52.4 2011 58.7 50.9 2010 57.3 49.5 2009 56.0 48.5 2008 54.8 47.4 2007 53.8 46.2 2006 53.2 45.0 2005 52.5 43.8 2004 51.8 42.9 2003 50.8 41.6 2002 49.5 40.3 2001 47.4 39.0 2000 45.0 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
IranWorld median
Iran fell from 4.031 in 2000 to 2.824 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Iran World median 2023 2.82 3.7092 2022 2.67 4.0570 2021 — 4.2611 2020 3.20 4.4056 2019 3.24 4.1407 2018 3.62 4.2159 2017 3.46 4.1401 2016 3.17 4.2342 2015 2.63 4.2386 2014 2.62 4.2005 2013 2.85 4.3493 2012 2.94 4.0348 2011 3.48 3.9987 2010 3.71 4.1396 2009 3.84 4.6638 2008 3.91 4.4226 2007 4.60 4.1717 2006 4.29 4.0593 2005 4.06 4.0557 2004 4.30 3.9745 2003 4.36 4.1595 2002 4.48 4.0173 2001 4.07 4.1002 2000 4.03 3.8861
03In context
Iran 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.
Iran 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Türkiyecompare | 28th | 0.603 | 98.02 | 78.12 | — |
 Azerbaijan | =38th | 0.027 | 83.49 | 95.87 | 3.66 |
| Iran | 104th | 0.103 | 59.82 | 75.5 | 2.824 |
 Armenia | =114th | 1.084 | 31.98 | 94.42 | 2.439 |
 Turkmenistan | 126th | 4.308 | 35.38 | 95.38 | 2.713 |
 Pakistancompare | =176th | 17.93 | 50.91 | 38.95 | 1.947 |
 Afghanistan | not placed | — | — | 36.28 | — |
 Iraq | not placed | — | — | 57.15 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below Iran in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Iran is ahead of the world, and behind
21 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 median8
Statistics on which Iran does better than the middle country measured.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,240701.95No earlier reading
Iran: 2,240 · 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 43rd of 145 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.859.933No real change since 2013
Iran: 10.85 · 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 73rd of 193 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4160.446No earlier reading
Iran: 0.416 · 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 92nd of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32432.11414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Iran: 432.11 · 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 70th of 172 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2192.189.21▲ Improved since 2015
Iran: 92.1 · 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 74th of 164 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.9713.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 13.97 · 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 88th of 195 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2298.7498.22No earlier reading
Iran: 98.74 · 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.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9418.1927.941▲ Improved since 2010
Iran: 8.192 · 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 83rd of 172 · derived.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Iran does worse than the middle country measured.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0858.660.08No earlier reading
Iran: 58.6 · 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.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4396.7497.43No real change since 2015
Iran: 96.74 · 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 88th of 165 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0241.5434.02No earlier reading
Iran: 41.54 · 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 57th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8617.9219.86▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 17.92 · 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 50th of 90 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.831.1643.8No earlier reading
Iran: 31.16 · 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.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9988.9293.99No earlier reading
Iran: 88.92 · 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 104th of 172 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7645.6865.76▼ Worsened since 2013
Iran: 45.68 · 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 64th of 95 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.928.5548.9No earlier reading
Iran: 28.55 · 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.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.060.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Iran: 0.06 · 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 170th 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 2,24078,0472,240No real change since 2022
Iran: 78,047 · 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.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3550.8334.35Moved since 2018
Iran: 50.83 · 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.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 232No earlier reading
Iran: 3 · 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1730.1738.17No earlier reading
Iran: 30.17 · 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.
No current reading for Iran
Female Share of STEM Graduates (last 2021), Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2022), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2020), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2022), Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2023), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2023), Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2022), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2020), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2020), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2023), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2023), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary (last 2023), Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2017), Research and Development Spending (last 2021), School Life Expectancy (last 2022), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2023), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2021), Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2022) and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. 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 Iran’s 15 topics
Education & Knowledge is Iran’s 5th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Development & Human Capital48th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 67th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 73rd of 1763/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 82nd of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge104th of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 109th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 116th of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 122nd of 1843/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade143rd of 1772/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions168th of 1944/4 keys
- Peace & Security165th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties187th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour175th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability180th of 1863/4 keys
- Gender & Equality181st of 1833/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Iran can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern 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 keysHighest in Asia
United Arab Emirates1st2/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
India44th3/4 keysThis page
Iran104th4/4 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
Iran 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 Iran rank on education & knowledge?
Iran is placed 104th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Iran?
0.103 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 Iran?
59.82 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 Iran compare with Pakistan on education & knowledge?
Pakistan is placed joint 176th of 198, and Iran 104th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Pakistan 17.93, Iran 0.103; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Pakistan 50.91, Iran 59.82; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Pakistan 38.95, Iran 75.5; Government Spending on Education: Pakistan 1.947, Iran 2.824.
How have Iran’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 16.72 in 2000 to 0.103 in 2023; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 34.73 in 2003 to 59.82 in 2020; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 45.01 in 2000 to 75.5 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 4.031 in 2000 to 2.824 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Iran?
No current reading is published for Iran on Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Research and Development Spending, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. 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 21 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
Iran’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Iran (banner) — User:Gire 3pich2005 , derived: User:Nastoshka, CC0
- 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). Iran: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iran/education