Photo: Lošmi derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Serbia: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Serbia is placed 95th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 3.333 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 86.21 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
95th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 3.333Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 86.21Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 82.76Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 3.404Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Serbia 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 · Serbia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.333
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Serbia: 3.333. 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
- Bulgaria 5.903 · Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.097 · Croatia 1.812 · Hungary 2.808 · North Macedonia 3.791 · Montenegro 0.218 · Romania 15.59
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Serbia’s is from 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0
86.21
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Serbia: 86.21. 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
- Bulgaria 94.6 · Bosnia and Herzegovina 37.49 · Croatia 99.32 · Hungary 95 · North Macedonia 52.37 · Montenegro 84.17 · Romania 80.76
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
82.76
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Serbia: 82.76. 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
- Bulgaria 87.21 · Bosnia and Herzegovina 66.46 · Croatia 98.2 · Hungary 86.31 · North Macedonia 86.31 · Montenegro 88.97 · Romania 81.93
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.404
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Serbia: 3.404. 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
- Land neighbours
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.246
02Over time
Which way Serbia 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
SerbiaWorld median
Serbia rose from 1.279 in 2005 to 3.333 in 2024; the world median went from 4.571 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Serbia World median 2024 3.33 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 3.96 3.002 2021 3.75 3.330 2020 2.89 2.678 2019 1.84 2.758 2018 1.43 2.439 2017 1.03 2.907 2016 0.83 2.954 2015 0.88 3.052 2014 1.22 3.904 2013 3.50 3.413 2012 3.65 3.408 2011 2.62 3.626 2010 5.08 3.491 2009 3.45 3.577 2008 1.45 3.878 2007 1.29 4.029 2006 0.82 4.338 2005 1.28 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
SerbiaWorld median
Serbia fell from 91.78 in 2007 to 86.21 in 2022; the world median went from 86.72 to 87.69.
Every year’s figures
Year Serbia World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 86.2 87.7 2021 92.0 87.0 2020 92.7 88.3 2019 90.6 88.8 2018 93.7 89.6 2017 96.8 87.4 2016 93.4 87.9 2015 96.3 88.2 2014 98.5 89.2 2013 98.1 88.0 2012 99.2 85.4 2011 96.5 86.2 2010 87.0 86.1 2009 87.9 84.8 2008 92.2 85.8 2007 91.8 86.7 2006 — 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
SerbiaWorld median
Serbia rose from 57.87 in 2000 to 82.76 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Serbia World median 2025 82.8 64.9 2024 82.2 65.0 2023 81.7 64.2 2022 81.2 63.6 2021 80.7 62.9 2020 80.1 62.2 2019 79.3 61.5 2018 78.5 60.9 2017 77.5 60.5 2016 76.3 60.1 2015 75.1 58.9 2014 73.8 57.0 2013 72.5 54.7 2012 71.1 52.4 2011 69.7 50.9 2010 68.1 49.5 2009 66.5 48.5 2008 65.1 47.4 2007 64.0 46.2 2006 63.2 45.0 2005 62.3 43.8 2004 61.3 42.9 2003 60.2 41.6 2002 59.2 40.3 2001 58.3 39.0 2000 57.9 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
SerbiaWorld median
Serbia fell from 4.049 in 2007 to 3.404 in 2023; the world median went from 4.172 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Serbia World median 2023 3.40 3.7092 2022 3.08 4.0570 2021 3.15 4.2611 2020 — 4.4056 2019 3.46 4.1407 2018 3.44 4.2159 2017 3.57 4.1401 2016 3.50 4.2342 2015 — 4.2386 2014 — 4.2005 2013 — 4.3493 2012 — 4.0348 2011 4.07 3.9987 2010 — 4.1396 2009 4.31 4.6638 2008 — 4.4226 2007 4.05 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
Serbia 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.
Serbia 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Croatia | 12th | 1.812 | 99.32 | 98.2 | — |
 Montenegro | 45th | 0.218 | 84.17 | 88.97 | — |
 Hungary | 52nd | 2.808 | 95 | 86.31 | — |
 Bulgaria | =67th | 5.903 | 94.6 | 87.21 | — |
| Serbia | 95th | 3.333 | 86.21 | 82.76 | 3.404 |
 North Macedonia | 122nd | 3.791 | 52.37 | 86.31 | — |
 Romania | 129th | 15.59 | 80.76 | 81.93 | — |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 136th | 2.097 | 37.49 | 66.46 | 3.246 |
 Kosovo | 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 Serbia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Serbia is ahead of the world, and behind
37 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 median22
Statistics on which Serbia does better than the middle country measured.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9999.3493.99No earlier reading
Serbia: 99.34 · 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 24th of 172 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2198.8689.21No real change since 2015
Serbia: 98.86 · 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 23rd of 164 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.9330.529No earlier reading
Serbia: 0.933 · 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 43.873.7843.8No earlier reading
Serbia: 73.78 · 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.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.6697.43▼ Worsened since 2015
Serbia: 99.66 · 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 32nd of 165 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.7498.22No earlier reading
Serbia: 99.74 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.028.84734.02No earlier reading
Serbia: 8.847 · 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 99th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0892.860.08No earlier reading
Serbia: 92.8 · 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.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.952,688701.95No earlier reading
Serbia: 2,688 · 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 36th of 145 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93311.649.933▲ Improved since 2013
Serbia: 11.64 · 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 49th of 193 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9419.7537.941▲ Improved since 2010
Serbia: 9.753 · 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 44th of 172 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32457.45414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Serbia: 457.45 · 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 50th of 172 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7770.5852.77▲ Improved since 2014
Serbia: 70.58 · 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 28th of 95 · derived.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6715.2220.67▼ Worsened since 2014
Serbia: 15.22 · 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 65th of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.0413.34No real change since 2013
Serbia: 15.04 · 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 66th of 195 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7676.165.76No real change since 2013
Serbia: 76.1 · 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 36th of 95 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.956.9448.9No earlier reading
Serbia: 56.94 · 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.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3434.5666.343▼ Worsened since 2014
Serbia: 4.566 · 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 66th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5963.658.59No earlier reading
Serbia: 63.6 · 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.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.8780.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Serbia: 0.878 · 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 41st of 84 · derived.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93447.46446.93▲ Improved since 2012
Serbia: 447.46 · 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 39th of 79 · derived.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.3021.244▼ Worsened since 2014
Serbia: 1.302 · 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 59th of 95 · derived.
Behind the world median8
Statistics on which Serbia does worse than the middle country measured.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9365.8165.93▲ Improved since 2014
Serbia: 65.81 · 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 61st of 120 · derived.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09439.88442.09▲ Improved since 2012
Serbia: 439.88 · 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 41st of 79 · derived.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5914.4914.59▼ Worsened since 2014
Serbia: 14.49 · 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 40th of 77 · derived.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8618.6719.86▲ Improved since 2013
Serbia: 18.67 · 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 47th of 90 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.5980.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Serbia: 0.598 · 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 94th of 176 · derived.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4944.6345.494▼ Worsened since 2014
Serbia: 4.634 · 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 42nd of 75 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4790.446No earlier reading
Serbia: 0.479 · 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 59th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1989.8493.19▼ Worsened since 2014
Serbia: 89.84 · 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 72nd of 109 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35440.35440.35▲ Improved since 2012
Serbia: 440.35 · 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 40th of 79 · derived.
No better end6
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 5.6019.0885.601Moved since 2015
Serbia: 9.088 · 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1752.7438.17No earlier reading
Serbia: 52.74 · 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.
Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.345.9135.3Moved since 2015
Serbia: 45.91 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24013,0072,240No real change since 2022
Serbia: 13,007 · 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 34.3540.9734.35Moved since 2018
Serbia: 40.97 · 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.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2795.7835.279Moved since 2013
Serbia: 5.783 · 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.
No current reading for Serbia
Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2011), Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2022), Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching and Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2012). 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 Serbia’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Serbia’s 10th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture1st of 1844/4 keys
- Gender & Equality30th of 1834/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 34th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing41st of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation42nd of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 58th of 1963/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 49th of 1593/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 66th of 1934/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade76th of 1772/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge95th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 101st of 1944/4 keys
- Work & Labour98th of 1824/4 keys
- Energyjoint 106th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 136th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability142nd of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Security142nd of 1774/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Serbia 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
Serbia95th4/4 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
Serbia 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 Serbia rank on education & knowledge?
Serbia is placed 95th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Serbia?
3.333 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 Serbia?
86.21 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 Serbia compare with Romania on education & knowledge?
Romania is placed 129th of 198, and Serbia 95th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Romania 15.59, Serbia 3.333; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Romania 80.76, Serbia 86.21; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Romania 81.93, Serbia 82.76.
How have Serbia’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 1.279 in 2005 to 3.333 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 91.78 in 2007 to 86.21 in 2022; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 57.87 in 2000 to 82.76 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 4.049 in 2007 to 3.404 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Serbia?
No current reading is published for Serbia on Government Funding per Primary Student, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching and Qualified Teachers in Primary Education. 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 37 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
Serbia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Serbia (banner) — Lošmi derivative work: Jjtkk, 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). Serbia: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/serbia/education