Photo: Soe Lin derivative work: JamesA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Myanmar: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Myanmar is placed 192nd of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 12.06 (2024); Upper Secondary Completion Rate 24.38 (2025).
Share
Education & Knowledge
192nd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 4 key statistics
- —Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024No reading for this country
- 12.06Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 24.38Upper 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 Myanmar 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 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
UIS publishes no reading from 2014–2024 for Myanmar, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 South-eastern Asia
- 0.212 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 5.862 · India 0.104 · Laos 10.34 · Thailand 0.552
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Myanmar’s is from 2018 · CC BY-SA 4.0
12.06
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Myanmar: 12.06. 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 South-eastern Asia
- 96.66 Thailand
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 88.4 · India 94.42 · Laos 67.06 · Thailand 96.66
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
24.38
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Myanmar: 24.38. 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 South-eastern Asia
- 73.54 Philippines
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 38.88 · China 89.82 · India 65.05 · Laos 36.4 · Thailand 72.72
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 Myanmar, 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 South-eastern Asia
- 5.241 Timor-Leste
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 2.162 · China 3.897 · Laos 1.234 · Thailand 2.521
02Over time
Which way Myanmar 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
MyanmarWorld median
Myanmar fell from 7.201 in 2000 to 1.409 in 2010; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.491.
Every year’s figures
Year Myanmar World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 — 3.002 2021 — 3.330 2020 — 2.678 2019 — 2.758 2018 — 2.439 2017 — 2.907 2016 — 2.954 2015 — 3.052 2014 — 3.904 2013 — 3.413 2012 — 3.408 2011 — 3.626 2010 1.4 3.491 2009 1.7 3.577 2008 1.9 3.878 2007 7.8 4.029 2006 4.7 4.338 2005 5.5 4.571 2004 6.5 3.791 2003 6.2 4.412 2002 8.8 4.144 2001 6.7 4.051 2000 7.2 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
MyanmarWorld median
Myanmar rose from 5.555 in 2006 to 12.06 in 2018; the world median went from 84.03 to 89.6.
Every year’s figures
Year Myanmar World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 — 87.7 2021 — 87.0 2020 — 88.3 2019 — 88.8 2018 12.1 89.6 2017 14.0 87.4 2016 — 87.9 2015 — 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 10.2 86.1 2009 7.5 84.8 2008 6.8 85.8 2007 5.9 86.7 2006 5.6 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
MyanmarWorld median
Myanmar rose from 11.36 in 2000 to 24.38 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Myanmar World median 2025 24.4 64.9 2024 23.9 65.0 2023 23.3 64.2 2022 22.7 63.6 2021 22.2 62.9 2020 21.7 62.2 2019 21.3 61.5 2018 20.8 60.9 2017 20.4 60.5 2016 20.1 60.1 2015 19.9 58.9 2014 19.5 57.0 2013 19.0 54.7 2012 18.0 52.4 2011 17.0 50.9 2010 16.2 49.5 2009 15.7 48.5 2008 15.6 47.4 2007 15.3 46.2 2006 15.1 45.0 2005 14.7 43.8 2004 14.1 42.9 2003 13.5 41.6 2002 12.6 40.3 2001 11.8 39.0 2000 11.4 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
MyanmarWorld median
Myanmar rose from 0.787 in 2011 to 2 in 2019; the world median went from 3.999 to 4.141.
Every year’s figures
Year Myanmar World median 2023 — 3.7092 2022 — 4.0570 2021 — 4.2611 2020 — 4.4056 2019 2.00 4.1407 2018 1.99 4.2159 2017 2.17 4.1401 2016 — 4.2342 2015 — 4.2386 2014 — 4.2005 2013 — 4.3493 2012 — 4.0348 2011 0.79 3.9987 2010 — 4.1396 2009 — 4.6638 2008 — 4.4226 2007 — 4.1717 2006 — 4.0593 2005 — 4.0557 2004 — 3.9745 2003 — 4.1595 2002 — 4.0173 2001 — 4.1002 2000 — 3.8861
03In context
Myanmar 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.
Myanmar 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 India | 44th | 0.104 | 94.42 | 65.05 | — |
 China | 51st | — | — | 89.82 | 3.897 |
 Thailand | 74th | 0.552 | 96.66 | 72.72 | 2.521 |
 Bangladesh | 150th | 5.862 | 88.4 | 38.88 | 2.162 |
 Laos | 170th | 10.34 | 67.06 | 36.4 | 1.234 |
| Myanmar | 192nd | — | 12.06 | 24.38 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-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 Myanmar in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Myanmar is ahead of the world, and behind
20 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 median1
Statistics on which Myanmar does better than the middle country measured.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32424.63414.32▲ Improved since 2017
Myanmar: 424.63 · 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 76th of 172 · derived.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Myanmar does worse than the middle country measured.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9993.5393.99No earlier reading
Myanmar: 93.53 · 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 90th of 172 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2296.3698.22No earlier reading
Myanmar: 96.36 · 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 7.9416.7887.941No real change since 2017
Myanmar: 6.788 · 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 109th of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4389.897.43▲ Improved since 2015
Myanmar: 89.8 · 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 108th of 165 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.513.34▲ Improved since 2013
Myanmar: 11.5 · 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 147th of 195 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2153.6989.21No real change since 2015
Myanmar: 53.69 · 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 124th of 164 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9336.389.933▲ Improved since 2013
Myanmar: 6.38 · 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 147th of 193 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.1720.529No earlier reading
Myanmar: 0.172 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.81243.8No earlier reading
Myanmar: 12 · 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 PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0289.4734.02No earlier reading
Myanmar: 89.47 · 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 16th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9528.01701.95No earlier reading
Myanmar: 28.01 · 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 134th of 145 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.081160.08No earlier reading
Myanmar: 11 · 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.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5860.446No earlier reading
Myanmar: 0.586 · 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 11th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.0230.814No real change since 2017
Myanmar: 0.023 · 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 83rd of 84 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.0230.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Myanmar: 0.023 · 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 175th 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1776.5438.17No earlier reading
Myanmar: 76.54 · 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.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3534.1734.35Moved since 2018
Myanmar: 34.17 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2404972,240Moved since 2022
Myanmar: 497 · 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 212No earlier reading
Myanmar: 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 Myanmar
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2019), Female Share of STEM Graduates (last 2018), Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2018), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2018), Government Spending on Education (last 2019), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2018), Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2018), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2010), Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2018), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2018), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2018), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2019), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2018), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary (last 2018), Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2018), School Life Expectancy (last 2018), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2018), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2018), Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2018) and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2019). 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 Myanmar’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Myanmar’s 15th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability59th of 1864/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality66th of 1592/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture91st of 1843/4 keys
- Energy94th of 1653/3 keys
- Work & Labour109th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality136th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 136th of 1773/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing155th of 2004/4 keys
- Digital & Technology154th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience157th of 1934/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital162nd of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties166th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation155th of 1763/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions173rd of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge192nd of 1982/4 keys
- Peace & Security175th of 1774/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Myanmar 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 South-eastern Asia
Singapore71st3/4 keysThis page
Myanmar192nd2/4 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
Myanmar 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 Myanmar rank on education & knowledge?
Myanmar is placed 192nd of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics (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 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Myanmar?
12.06 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.
What is the latest Upper Secondary Completion Rate figure for Myanmar?
24.38 in 2025 (upper secondary completion rate (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 64.87.
How does Myanmar compare with India on education & knowledge?
India is placed 44th of 198, and Myanmar 192nd. Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: India 94.42, Myanmar 12.06; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: India 65.05, Myanmar 24.38.
How have Myanmar’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 7.201 in 2000 to 1.409 in 2010; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 5.555 in 2006 to 12.06 in 2018; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 11.36 in 2000 to 24.38 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 0.787 in 2011 to 2 in 2019.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Myanmar?
No current reading is published for Myanmar on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, 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, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio and Upper Secondary Attainment. 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 20 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
Myanmar’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Myanmar (banner) — Soe Lin derivative work: JamesA, 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). Myanmar: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/myanmar/education