Photo: Francisco Antunes · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Italy: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Italy is placed 46th 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 2.056 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 95.2 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
46th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 2.056Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 95.2Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 87.5Upper 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 Italy 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 · Italy’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
2.056
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Italy: 2.056. 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 Europe
- 0.11 Greece
- Land neighbours
- Austria 1.43 · Switzerland 0.143 · France 0.204 · San Marino 6.132 · Slovenia 1.447
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Italy’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
95.2
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Italy: 95.2. 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 Europe
- 99.93 Portugal
- Land neighbours
- Austria 97.24 · Switzerland 98.18 · France 99.76 · San Marino 97.67 · Slovenia 95.37
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
87.5
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Italy: 87.5. 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 Europe
- 98.2 Croatia
- Land neighbours
- Austria 86.14 · Switzerland 92.96 · France 87.56 · Slovenia 93.2
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 Italy, 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
- Best in Southern Europe
- 3.404 Serbia
02Over time
Which way Italy 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
ItalyWorld median
Italy rose from 0.218 in 2001 to 2.056 in 2023; the world median went from 4.051 to 3.393.
Every year’s figures
Year Italy World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 2.056 3.393 2022 2.507 3.002 2021 2.106 3.330 2020 1.483 2.678 2019 1.597 2.758 2018 1.571 2.439 2017 1.638 2.907 2016 1.665 2.954 2015 1.494 3.052 2014 1.231 3.904 2013 0.885 3.413 2012 0.336 3.408 2011 0.293 3.626 2010 0.217 3.491 2009 0.304 3.577 2008 0.415 3.878 2007 0.405 4.029 2006 0.382 4.338 2005 0.372 4.571 2004 0.195 3.791 2003 0.283 4.412 2002 0.207 4.144 2001 0.218 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
ItalyWorld median
Italy fell from 99.03 in 2001 to 95.2 in 2023; the world median went from 80.76 to 87.61.
Every year’s figures
Year Italy World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 95.20 87.6 2022 94.70 87.7 2021 93.62 87.0 2020 96.34 88.3 2019 96.51 88.8 2018 96.26 89.6 2017 96.91 87.4 2016 97.45 87.9 2015 97.65 88.2 2014 97.86 89.2 2013 98.13 88.0 2012 98.51 85.4 2011 98.58 86.2 2010 98.62 86.1 2009 99.44 84.8 2008 99.54 85.8 2007 99.23 86.7 2006 99.22 84.0 2005 98.95 82.2 2004 99.08 81.8 2003 99.46 78.3 2002 99.11 80.0 2001 99.03 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
ItalyWorld median
Italy rose from 66.55 in 2000 to 87.5 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Italy World median 2025 87.5 64.9 2024 87.0 65.0 2023 86.4 64.2 2022 85.8 63.6 2021 85.2 62.9 2020 84.5 62.2 2019 83.9 61.5 2018 83.3 60.9 2017 82.7 60.5 2016 81.9 60.1 2015 81.0 58.9 2014 80.0 57.0 2013 79.1 54.7 2012 78.2 52.4 2011 77.2 50.9 2010 76.0 49.5 2009 74.8 48.5 2008 73.8 47.4 2007 73.1 46.2 2006 72.2 45.0 2005 71.1 43.8 2004 70.1 42.9 2003 69.1 41.6 2002 68.2 40.3 2001 67.4 39.0 2000 66.6 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
ItalyWorld median
Italy fell from 4.28 in 2000 to 4.068 in 2022; the world median went from 3.886 to 4.057.
Every year’s figures
Year Italy World median 2023 — 3.7092 2022 4.068 4.0570 2021 4.171 4.2611 2020 4.418 4.4056 2019 4.078 4.1407 2018 4.241 4.2159 2017 4.027 4.1401 2016 3.795 4.2342 2015 4.054 4.2386 2014 4.040 4.2005 2013 4.122 4.3493 2012 4.035 4.0348 2011 4.094 3.9987 2010 4.316 4.1396 2009 4.504 4.6638 2008 4.372 4.4226 2007 4.088 4.1717 2006 4.505 4.0593 2005 4.223 4.0557 2004 4.370 3.9745 2003 4.527 4.1595 2002 4.415 4.0173 2001 4.634 4.1002 2000 4.280 3.8861
03In context
Italy 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.
Italy 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Switzerland | 9th | 0.143 | 98.18 | 92.96 | — |
 France | 10th | 0.204 | 99.76 | 87.56 | — |
 Slovenia | 22nd | 1.447 | 95.37 | 93.2 | — |
 Austria | 33rd | 1.43 | 97.24 | 86.14 | — |
| Italy | 46th | 2.056 | 95.2 | 87.5 | — |
 San Marino | =72nd | 6.132 | 97.67 | — | — |
 Vatican City | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern 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 Italy in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Italy is ahead of the world, and behind
30 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 median20
Statistics on which Italy does better than the middle country measured.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.9397.43No real change since 2015
Italy: 99.93 · 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 9th of 165 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0897.1860.08No earlier reading
Italy: 97.18 · 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.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2199.3189.21▲ Improved since 2015
Italy: 99.31 · 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 13th of 164 · derived.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8124.3417.81▲ Improved since 2012
Italy: 24.34 · 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 7th of 68 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.8798.22No earlier reading
Italy: 99.87 · 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.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9999.3593.99No earlier reading
Italy: 99.35 · 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 23rd of 172 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.025.49734.02No earlier reading
Italy: 5.497 · 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 109th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3416.7113.34▲ Improved since 2013
Italy: 16.71 · 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 30th of 195 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5978.6158.59No earlier reading
Italy: 78.61 · 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.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32492.99414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Italy: 492.99 · 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 35th of 172 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.94110.457.941▲ Improved since 2010
Italy: 10.45 · 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 36th of 172 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,855701.95No earlier reading
Italy: 2,855 · 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 35th of 145 · derived.
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35481.6440.35▲ Improved since 2012
Italy: 481.6 · 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 20th of 79 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.869.2143.8No earlier reading
Italy: 69.21 · 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.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8220.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Italy: 0.822 · 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 52nd of 176 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8141.3790.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Italy: 1.379 · 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 31st of 84 · derived.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09471.26442.09▲ Improved since 2012
Italy: 471.26 · 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 30th of 79 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.839.933No real change since 2013
Italy: 10.83 · 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 75th of 193 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.961.3748.9No earlier reading
Italy: 61.37 · 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.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93477.46446.93▲ Improved since 2012
Italy: 477.46 · 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 33rd of 79 · derived.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Italy does worse than the middle country measured.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4460.446No earlier reading
Italy: 0.446 · 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 76th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8617.5819.86No real change since 2014
Italy: 17.58 · 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 52nd of 90 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7655.2765.76▼ Worsened since 2013
Italy: 55.27 · 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 55th of 95 · derived.
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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,240141,7112,240No real change since 2022
Italy: 141,711 · 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 2202No earlier reading
Italy: 20 · 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 STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.339.3535.3Moved since 2014
Italy: 39.35 · 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.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3536.9734.35Moved since 2018
Italy: 36.97 · 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1737.4738.17No earlier reading
Italy: 37.47 · 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.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2793.9175.279Moved since 2013
Italy: 3.917 · 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.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6011.5725.601Moved since 2014
Italy: 1.572 · 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.
No current reading for Italy
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2023), Government Spending on Education (last 2022), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2023), Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2023), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2023), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2023), Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2023), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2016), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2016), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, School Life Expectancy (last 2023), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2023), Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2023) 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 Italy’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Italy’s 9th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality3rd of 1834/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing6th of 2002/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation20th of 1764/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture26th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 32nd of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions34th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology37th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade34th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge46th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties50th of 1984/4 keys
- Energyjoint 47th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security55th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience70th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality63rd of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour86th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 115th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Italy 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 Europe
Greece2nd3/4 keysThis page
Italy46th3/4 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
Italy 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 Italy rank on education & knowledge?
Italy is placed 46th 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 Italy?
2.056 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 Italy?
95.2 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 Italy compare with France on education & knowledge?
France is placed 10th of 198, and Italy 46th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: France 0.204, Italy 2.056; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: France 99.76, Italy 95.2; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: France 87.56, Italy 87.5.
How have Italy’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 0.218 in 2001 to 2.056 in 2023; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 99.03 in 2001 to 95.2 in 2023; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 66.55 in 2000 to 87.5 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 4.28 in 2000 to 4.068 in 2022.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Italy?
No current reading is published for Italy on Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Spending on Education, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 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, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, 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 30 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
Italy’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Italy (banner) — Francisco Antunes, CC BY 2.0
- 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). Italy: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/italy/education