Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Macau: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Macau is placed joint 131st 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 10.79 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 88.18 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
joint131st
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
Not placed in the Country Index 2026 overall: measured on too few topics.
- 10.79Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 88.18Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- —Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025No reading for this country
- 3.502Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Macau 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 · Macau’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
10.79
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Macau: 10.79. 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 Eastern Asia
- 0.056 South Korea
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Macau’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
88.18
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Macau: 88.18. 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 Eastern Asia
- 99.2 Hong Kong
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
UIS publishes no 2025 figure for Macau, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 Eastern Asia
- 99.27 South Korea
- Land neighbours
- China 89.82
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.502
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Macau: 3.502. 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 Eastern Asia
- 3.897 China
- Land neighbours
- China 3.897
02Over time
Which way Macau 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
MacauWorld median
Macau fell from 12.38 in 2001 to 10.79 in 2024; the world median went from 4.051 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Macau World median 2024 10.79 3.691 2023 14.20 3.393 2022 16.33 3.002 2021 12.73 3.330 2020 9.81 2.678 2019 6.14 2.758 2018 2.20 2.439 2017 2.67 2.907 2016 2.45 2.954 2015 4.25 3.052 2014 4.89 3.904 2013 7.75 3.413 2012 8.95 3.408 2011 7.08 3.626 2010 9.48 3.491 2009 10.00 3.577 2008 10.10 3.878 2007 10.76 4.029 2006 11.75 4.338 2005 10.17 4.571 2004 9.00 3.791 2003 9.42 4.412 2002 9.46 4.144 2001 12.38 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
MacauWorld median
Macau fell from 90.98 in 2001 to 88.18 in 2024; the world median went from 80.76 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Macau World median 2024 88.18 85.9 2023 83.68 87.6 2022 85.88 87.7 2021 88.03 87.0 2020 89.71 88.3 2019 86.03 88.8 2018 91.01 89.6 2017 98.67 87.4 2016 — 87.9 2015 98.85 88.2 2014 96.44 89.2 2013 94.95 88.0 2012 90.78 85.4 2011 97.13 86.2 2010 96.52 86.1 2009 92.19 84.8 2008 93.61 85.8 2007 87.20 86.7 2006 96.19 84.0 2005 91.66 82.2 2004 91.10 81.8 2003 89.51 78.3 2002 90.14 80.0 2001 90.98 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
MacauWorld median
Macau rose from 3.314 in 2000 to 3.502 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Macau World median 2023 3.502 3.7092 2022 6.057 4.0570 2021 5.107 4.2611 2020 6.389 4.4056 2019 3.065 4.1407 2018 2.733 4.2159 2017 2.709 4.1401 2016 3.100 4.2342 2015 3.002 4.2386 2014 2.049 4.2005 2013 2.050 4.3493 2012 3.325 4.0348 2011 2.675 3.9987 2010 2.618 4.1396 2009 2.533 4.6638 2008 2.196 4.4226 2007 2.043 4.1717 2006 2.194 4.0593 2005 2.278 4.0557 2004 2.233 3.9745 2003 2.780 4.1595 2002 2.843 4.0173 2001 2.714 4.1002 2000 3.314 3.8861
03In context
Macau 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.
Macau 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | 51st | — | — | 89.82 | 3.897 |
| Macau | =131st | 10.79 | 88.18 | — | 3.502 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern 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 Macau in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Macau 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 median21
Statistics on which Macau does better than the middle country measured.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.77141.8652.77▲ Improved since 2014
Macau: 141.86 · 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 1st of 95 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32560.61414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Macau: 560.61 · 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 2nd of 172 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.991.5648.9No earlier reading
Macau: 91.56 · 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 Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09551.92442.09▲ Improved since 2012
Macau: 551.92 · 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 2nd of 79 · derived.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93543.1446.93▲ Improved since 2012
Macau: 543.1 · 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 3rd of 79 · derived.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.49472.535.494▲ Improved since 2014
Macau: 72.53 · 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 3rd of 75 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5987.3658.59No earlier reading
Macau: 87.36 · 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.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.890.3443.8No earlier reading
Macau: 90.34 · 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.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.94111.577.941▲ Improved since 2010
Macau: 11.57 · 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 10th of 172 · derived.
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35510.41440.35▲ Improved since 2012
Macau: 510.41 · 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 7th of 79 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0895.9260.08No earlier reading
Macau: 95.92 · 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.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5917.514.59▲ Improved since 2014
Macau: 17.5 · 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 11th of 77 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.027.1934.02No earlier reading
Macau: 7.19 · 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 106th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6713.2420.67▲ Improved since 2014
Macau: 13.24 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.
Position 77th of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.898.22No earlier reading
Macau: 99.8 · 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.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.954,634701.95No earlier reading
Macau: 4,634 · 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 26th of 145 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6610098.66No real change since 2016
Macau: 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.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9388.3165.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Macau: 88.31 · 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 30th of 120 · derived.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6698.8393.66▲ Improved since 2014
Macau: 98.83 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9996.5493.99No earlier reading
Macau: 96.54 · 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 65th of 172 · derived.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1994.6693.19▼ Worsened since 2014
Macau: 94.66 · 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 53rd of 109 · derived.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Macau does worse than the middle country measured.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.1061.244▲ Improved since 2014
Macau: 1.106 · 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 15th of 95 · derived.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3438.3396.343▼ Worsened since 2014
Macau: 8.339 · 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 47th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.2710.814▲ Improved since 2013
Macau: 0.271 · 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 61st of 84 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Macau: 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 end5
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6016.4955.601Moved since 2015
Macau: 6.495 · 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 2,2409,5872,240Moved since 2022
Macau: 9,587 · 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1738.5438.17No earlier reading
Macau: 38.54 · 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 5.2794.4385.279Moved since 2013
Macau: 4.438 · 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.
Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.333.3635.3Moved since 2015
Macau: 33.36 · 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.
No current reading for Macau
Academic Freedom Index, Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Expected Years of Schooling, Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2003), Intergenerational Persistence in Education, Lower Secondary Completion Rate, Mean Years of Schooling, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Primary Completion Rate, Trust in Scientists, Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2016), Upper Secondary Completion Rate 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 Macau’s 5 topics
Education & Knowledge is Macau’s 4th best-placed topic of 5. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade2nd of 1772/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 26th of 1824/4 keys
- Energy83rd of 1652/3 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 131st of 1983/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 155th of 1982/4 keys
No standing on Governance & Institutions, Economy & Innovation, Health & Wellbeing, Development & Human Capital, Environment & Sustainability, Gender & Equality, Democracy & Civil Liberties, Peace & Security, Risk & Resilience, Food & Agriculture, Poverty & Inequality: 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 Macau 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 Eastern Asia
South Korea8th3/4 keysThis page
Macau=131st3/4 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
Macau 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 Macau rank on education & knowledge?
Macau is placed joint 131st 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 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 Macau?
10.79 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 Macau?
88.18 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 Macau compare with China on education & knowledge?
China is placed 51st of 198, and Macau joint 131st. Government Spending on Education: China 3.897, Macau 3.502.
How have Macau’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 12.38 in 2001 to 10.79 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 90.98 in 2001 to 88.18 in 2024; Government Spending on Education rose from 3.314 in 2000 to 3.502 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Macau?
No current reading is published for Macau on Academic Freedom Index, Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Expected Years of Schooling, Government Funding per Primary Student, Intergenerational Persistence in Education, Lower Secondary Completion Rate, Mean Years of Schooling, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Primary Completion Rate, Trust in Scientists, Upper Secondary Attainment, Upper Secondary Completion Rate 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 5 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
Macau’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Macau (banner) — Diego Delso, 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). Macau: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/macau/education