Photo: Unknown author · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Thailand: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Thailand is placed 74th 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 0.552 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 96.66 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
74th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.552Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 96.66Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 72.72Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 2.521Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Thailand 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 · Thailand’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.552
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Thailand: 0.552. 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
- Cambodia 3.691 · Laos 10.34 · Malaysia 11.97
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Thailand’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
96.66
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Thailand: 96.66. 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
- Cambodia 72.15 · Laos 67.06 · Myanmar 12.06 · Malaysia 85.43
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
72.72
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Thailand: 72.72. 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
- Cambodia 25.65 · Laos 36.4 · Myanmar 24.38 · Malaysia 63.26
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
2.521
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Thailand: 2.521. 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
- Cambodia 2.181 · Laos 1.234 · Malaysia 3.515
02Over time
Which way Thailand 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
ThailandWorld median
Thailand fell from 4.362 in 2006 to 0.552 in 2024; the world median went from 4.338 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Thailand World median 2024 0.552 3.691 2023 1.609 3.393 2022 0.313 3.002 2021 0.505 3.330 2020 0.393 2.678 2019 0.550 2.758 2018 0.266 2.439 2017 3.300 2.907 2016 — 2.954 2015 — 3.052 2014 — 3.904 2013 — 3.413 2012 — 3.408 2011 — 3.626 2010 — 3.491 2009 7.330 3.577 2008 6.217 3.878 2007 4.949 4.029 2006 4.362 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
ThailandWorld median
Thailand fell from 98.78 in 2017 to 96.66 in 2024; the world median went from 87.36 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Thailand World median 2024 96.7 85.9 2023 95.6 87.6 2022 96.6 87.7 2021 95.1 87.0 2020 99.4 88.3 2019 99.3 88.8 2018 99.5 89.6 2017 98.8 87.4 2016 — 87.9 2015 — 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 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
ThailandWorld median
Thailand rose from 45.51 in 2000 to 72.72 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Thailand World median 2025 72.7 64.9 2024 71.6 65.0 2023 70.3 64.2 2022 68.9 63.6 2021 67.3 62.9 2020 65.8 62.2 2019 64.3 61.5 2018 63.2 60.9 2017 62.0 60.5 2016 60.8 60.1 2015 59.5 58.9 2014 58.3 57.0 2013 57.2 54.7 2012 56.5 52.4 2011 56.0 50.9 2010 55.7 49.5 2009 55.3 48.5 2008 54.8 47.4 2007 54.5 46.2 2006 54.3 45.0 2005 53.9 43.8 2004 53.1 42.9 2003 51.8 41.6 2002 50.3 40.3 2001 48.3 39.0 2000 45.5 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
ThailandWorld median
Thailand fell from 5.253 in 2000 to 2.521 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Thailand World median 2023 2.521 3.7092 2022 2.612 4.0570 2021 2.982 4.2611 2020 3.153 4.4056 2019 3.022 4.1407 2018 3.198 4.2159 2017 3.465 4.1401 2016 3.768 4.2342 2015 3.864 4.2386 2014 3.919 4.2005 2013 4.124 4.3493 2012 4.537 4.0348 2011 4.806 3.9987 2010 3.508 4.1396 2009 3.862 4.6638 2008 3.509 4.4226 2007 3.603 4.1717 2006 4.050 4.0593 2005 3.939 4.0557 2004 4.031 3.9745 2003 3.726 4.1595 2002 3.865 4.0173 2001 4.818 4.1002 2000 5.253 3.8861
03In context
Thailand 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.
Thailand 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 74th | 0.552 | 96.66 | 72.72 | 2.521 |
 Malaysia | =131st | 11.97 | 85.43 | 63.26 | 3.515 |
 Cambodia | 160th | 3.691 | 72.15 | 25.65 | 2.181 |
 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 Thailand in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Thailand is ahead of the world, and behind
38 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 median17
Statistics on which Thailand does better than the middle country measured.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6610093.66No real change since 2014
Thailand: 100 · 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.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6714.6120.67▲ Improved since 2014
Thailand: 14.61 · 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 70th of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3432.8836.343▲ Improved since 2017
Thailand: 2.883 · 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 80th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.2297.43▲ Improved since 2015
Thailand: 99.22 · 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 52nd of 165 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.3613.34▲ Improved since 2013
Thailand: 15.36 · 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 62nd of 195 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.8060.529No earlier reading
Thailand: 0.806 · 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.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.951,592701.95No earlier reading
Thailand: 1,592 · 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 53rd of 145 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9418.6837.941▲ Improved since 2010
Thailand: 8.683 · 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 66th of 172 · derived.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9374.165.93▲ Improved since 2017
Thailand: 74.1 · 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 48th of 120 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0223.4234.02No earlier reading
Thailand: 23.42 · 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 73rd of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32426.6414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Thailand: 426.6 · 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 75th of 172 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2192.3489.21No real change since 2015
Thailand: 92.34 · 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 73rd of 164 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.9360.814▲ Improved since 2013
Thailand: 0.936 · 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 39th of 84 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6699.998.66▼ Worsened since 2019
Thailand: 99.9 · 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.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4430.446No earlier reading
Thailand: 0.443 · 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 80th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5914.8114.59▼ Worsened since 2014
Thailand: 14.81 · 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 38th of 77 · derived.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.2521.244▼ Worsened since 2014
Thailand: 1.252 · 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 50th of 95 · derived.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Thailand does worse than the middle country measured.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.843.4143.8No earlier reading
Thailand: 43.41 · 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 98.2298.1798.22No earlier reading
Thailand: 98.17 · 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.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1992.5193.19▼ Worsened since 2014
Thailand: 92.51 · 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 56th of 109 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7744.9852.77▼ Worsened since 2014
Thailand: 44.98 · 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 53rd of 95 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9339.049.933▲ Improved since 2013
Thailand: 9.04 · 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 109th of 193 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9991.193.99No earlier reading
Thailand: 91.1 · 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 100th of 172 · derived.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10099.9100▼ Worsened since 2019
Thailand: 99.9 · 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.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.931.7348.9No earlier reading
Thailand: 31.73 · 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.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.3820.619▲ Improved since 2015
Thailand: 0.382 · 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 118th of 176 · derived.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09393.95442.09▲ Improved since 2012
Thailand: 393.95 · 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 56th of 79 · derived.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93409.26446.93No real change since 2012
Thailand: 409.26 · 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 57th of 79 · derived.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4942.0265.494▲ Improved since 2014
Thailand: 2.026 · 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 55th of 75 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5934.5758.59No earlier reading
Thailand: 34.57 · 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 Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35378.66440.35▼ Worsened since 2012
Thailand: 378.66 · 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 63rd of 79 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7639.4465.76▲ Improved since 2013
Thailand: 39.44 · 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 76th of 95 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24034,8142,240Moved since 2022
Thailand: 34,814 · 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 38.1748.6338.17No earlier reading
Thailand: 48.63 · 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 35.335.3735.3Moved since 2015
Thailand: 35.37 · 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.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6013.5235.601Moved since 2015
Thailand: 3.523 · 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.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2791.5765.279No real change since 2013
Thailand: 1.576 · 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.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3516.334.35Moved since 2018
Thailand: 16.3 · 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.
No current reading for Thailand
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2022), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2013), Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary and Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth. 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 Thailand’s 15 topics
Education & Knowledge is Thailand’s 9th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade10th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality27th of 1592/3 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 37th of 1824/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation38th of 1764/4 keys
- Digital & Technology55th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing57th of 2004/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions68th of 1944/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital71st of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge74th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 95th of 1844/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 95th of 1834/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties113th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience133rd of 1934/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 132nd of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 139th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: 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 Thailand 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
Thailand74th4/4 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
Thailand 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 Thailand rank on education & knowledge?
Thailand is placed 74th 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 Thailand?
0.552 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 Thailand?
96.66 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 Thailand compare with Myanmar on education & knowledge?
Myanmar is placed 192nd of 198, and Thailand 74th. Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Myanmar 12.06, Thailand 96.66; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Myanmar 24.38, Thailand 72.72.
How have Thailand’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 4.362 in 2006 to 0.552 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 98.78 in 2017 to 96.66 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 45.51 in 2000 to 72.72 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 5.253 in 2000 to 2.521 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Thailand?
No current reading is published for Thailand on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary and Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth. 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 38 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
Thailand’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Thailand (banner) — Unknown author, CC BY 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). Thailand: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/thailand/education