Photo: Marcin Szala · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Latvia: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Latvia is placed joint 41st 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 2.74 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 97.77 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
joint41st
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 2.74Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 97.77Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 87.53Upper 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 Latvia 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 · Latvia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
2.74
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Latvia: 2.74. 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
- Belarus 4.492 · Estonia 3.388 · Lithuania 0.13 · Russia 4.935
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Latvia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
97.77
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Latvia: 97.77. 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
- Belarus 97.62 · Estonia 92.5 · Lithuania 99.56 · Russia 83.35
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
87.53
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Latvia: 87.53. 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
- Belarus 94.55 · Estonia 85.87 · Lithuania 92.31 · Russia 91.4
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 Latvia, 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
- Belarus 4.909 · Russia 4.165
02Over time
Which way Latvia 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
LatviaWorld median
Latvia rose from 0.009 in 2008 to 2.74 in 2024; the world median went from 3.878 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Latvia World median 2024 2.74 3.691 2023 1.96 3.393 2022 1.44 3.002 2021 1.28 3.330 2020 1.30 2.678 2019 1.18 2.758 2018 1.13 2.439 2017 1.52 2.907 2016 1.74 2.954 2015 2.04 3.052 2014 1.97 3.904 2013 1.86 3.413 2012 1.46 3.408 2011 0.77 3.626 2010 0.87 3.491 2009 0.88 3.577 2008 0.01 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 — 4.571 2004 — 3.791 2003 — 4.412 2002 — 4.144 2001 — 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
LatviaWorld median
Latvia fell from 98.52 in 2003 to 97.77 in 2024; the world median went from 78.33 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Latvia World median 2024 97.771 85.9 2023 97.620 87.6 2022 97.733 87.7 2021 97.657 87.0 2020 97.721 88.3 2019 97.774 88.8 2018 97.738 89.6 2017 98.093 87.4 2016 97.122 87.9 2015 96.800 88.2 2014 97.052 89.2 2013 97.025 88.0 2012 97.352 85.4 2011 97.196 86.2 2010 96.704 86.1 2009 97.643 84.8 2008 98.481 85.8 2007 97.271 86.7 2006 97.132 84.0 2005 98.938 82.2 2004 97.041 81.8 2003 98.521 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
LatviaWorld median
Latvia rose from 74.29 in 2000 to 87.53 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Latvia World median 2025 87.5 64.9 2024 87.2 65.0 2023 86.8 64.2 2022 86.4 63.6 2021 86.0 62.9 2020 85.7 62.2 2019 85.4 61.5 2018 85.0 60.9 2017 84.8 60.5 2016 84.5 60.1 2015 84.2 58.9 2014 83.8 57.0 2013 83.1 54.7 2012 82.4 52.4 2011 81.6 50.9 2010 80.9 49.5 2009 80.5 48.5 2008 80.1 47.4 2007 79.7 46.2 2006 79.2 45.0 2005 78.5 43.8 2004 77.6 42.9 2003 76.6 41.6 2002 75.6 40.3 2001 74.8 39.0 2000 74.3 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
LatviaWorld median
Latvia fell from 5.409 in 2000 to 4.32 in 2022; the world median went from 3.886 to 4.057.
Every year’s figures
Year Latvia World median 2023 — 3.7092 2022 4.320 4.0570 2021 4.768 4.2611 2020 4.997 4.4056 2019 4.587 4.1407 2018 4.394 4.2159 2017 4.529 4.1401 2016 4.824 4.2342 2015 5.467 4.2386 2014 5.475 4.2005 2013 7.250 4.3493 2012 6.839 4.0348 2011 5.243 3.9987 2010 5.144 4.1396 2009 5.677 4.6638 2008 5.637 4.4226 2007 4.891 4.1717 2006 4.945 4.0593 2005 — 4.0557 2004 5.047 3.9745 2003 5.294 4.1595 2002 5.789 4.0173 2001 5.561 4.1002 2000 5.409 3.8861
03In context
Latvia 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.
Latvia 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lithuania | 5th | 0.13 | 99.56 | 92.31 | — |
 Belarus | 35th | 4.492 | 97.62 | 94.55 | 4.909 |
| Latvia | =41st | 2.74 | 97.77 | 87.53 | — |
 Estonia | 65th | 3.388 | 92.5 | 85.87 | — |
 Russia | 83rd | 4.935 | 83.35 | 91.4 | 4.165 |
“—”: 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 Latvia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Latvia is ahead of the world, and behind
39 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 median30
Statistics on which Latvia does better than the middle country measured.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9999.993.99No earlier reading
Latvia: 99.9 · 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 6th of 172 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.9280.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Latvia: 0.928 · 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 9th of 176 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93313.419.933No real change since 2013
Latvia: 13.41 · 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 10th of 193 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7689.2465.76▼ Worsened since 2013
Latvia: 89.24 · 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 12th of 95 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.977.8448.9No earlier reading
Latvia: 77.84 · 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.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.878.0143.8No earlier reading
Latvia: 78.01 · 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.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.8498.22No earlier reading
Latvia: 99.84 · 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 7.94110.987.941▲ Improved since 2010
Latvia: 10.98 · 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 24th of 172 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7782.9252.77▲ Improved since 2014
Latvia: 82.92 · 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 15th of 95 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32503.87414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Latvia: 503.87 · 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 29th of 172 · derived.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9394.9765.93No real change since 2014
Latvia: 94.97 · 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 21st of 120 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0894.2960.08No earlier reading
Latvia: 94.29 · 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.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3416.4813.34No real change since 2013
Latvia: 16.48 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 36th of 195 · derived.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8633.219.86▼ Worsened since 2013
Latvia: 33.2 · 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 18th of 90 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.028.43834.02No earlier reading
Latvia: 8.438 · 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 101st of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.49414.085.494▲ Improved since 2014
Latvia: 14.08 · 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 16th of 75 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.697.43▼ Worsened since 2015
Latvia: 99.6 · 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 35th of 165 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2198.5389.21▼ Worsened since 2015
Latvia: 98.53 · 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 35th of 164 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5977.1858.59No earlier reading
Latvia: 77.18 · 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.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93493.84446.93▲ Improved since 2012
Latvia: 493.84 · 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 19th of 79 · derived.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09483.16442.09▲ Improved since 2012
Latvia: 483.16 · 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 21st of 79 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.3850.446No earlier reading
Latvia: 0.385 · 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 114th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.19101.2593.19▼ Worsened since 2014
Latvia: 101.25 · 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 33rd of 109 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,191701.95No earlier reading
Latvia: 2,191 · 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 44th of 145 · derived.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3432.846.343▼ Worsened since 2014
Latvia: 2.84 · 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 81st of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5915.9614.59▼ Worsened since 2014
Latvia: 15.96 · 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 26th of 77 · derived.
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35474.57440.35▲ Improved since 2012
Latvia: 474.57 · 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 27th of 79 · derived.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8118.5217.81▼ Worsened since 2012
Latvia: 18.52 · 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 31st of 68 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.8240.814No real change since 2013
Latvia: 0.824 · 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 42nd of 84 · derived.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.3251.244▼ Worsened since 2014
Latvia: 1.325 · 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 65th of 95 · derived.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which Latvia does worse than the middle country measured.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6697.4498.66▼ Worsened since 2016
Latvia: 97.44 · 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.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Latvia: 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1748.7838.17No earlier reading
Latvia: 48.78 · 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 5.2796.0595.279Moved since 2013
Latvia: 6.059 · 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 5.6015.895.601Moved since 2014
Latvia: 5.89 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2403,1242,240Moved since 2022
Latvia: 3,124 · 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 34.3534.5534.35Moved since 2018
Latvia: 34.55 · 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 STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.333.4735.3Moved since 2014
Latvia: 33.47 · 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.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 212No earlier reading
Latvia: 1 · 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.
No current reading for Latvia
Government Spending on Education (last 2022), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (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 Latvia’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Latvia’s 9th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality1st of 1834/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 15th of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technology25th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security23rd of 1774/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing27th of 2004/4 keys
- Energy23rd of 1653/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions29th of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience33rd of 1934/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 41st of 1983/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital41st of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation39th of 1764/4 keys
- Work & Labour42nd of 1824/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 48th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability65th of 1864/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality58th of 1593/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture69th of 1844/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Latvia 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 keysHighest in Northern Europe
Lithuania5th3/4 keysThis page
Latvia=41st3/4 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
Latvia 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 Latvia rank on education & knowledge?
Latvia is placed joint 41st 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 Latvia?
2.74 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 Latvia?
97.77 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 Latvia compare with Russia on education & knowledge?
Russia is placed 83rd of 198, and Latvia joint 41st. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Russia 4.935, Latvia 2.74; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Russia 83.35, Latvia 97.77; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Russia 91.4, Latvia 87.53.
How have Latvia’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 0.009 in 2008 to 2.74 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 98.52 in 2003 to 97.77 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 74.29 in 2000 to 87.53 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 5.409 in 2000 to 4.32 in 2022.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Latvia?
No current reading is published for Latvia on Government Spending on Education, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education 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 39 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
Latvia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Latvia (banner) — Marcin Szala, 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). Latvia: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/latvia/education