Photo: Nhobgood Nick Hobgood · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Timor-Leste: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Timor-Leste is placed joint 123rd 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 6.877 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 58.92 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
joint123rd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 6.877Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 58.92Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 56.72Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 5.241Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Timor-Leste 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 · Timor-Leste’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
6.877
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Timor-Leste: 6.877. 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
- Indonesia 1.071
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Timor-Leste’s is from 2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0
58.92
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Timor-Leste: 58.92. 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
- Indonesia 88.16
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
56.72
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Timor-Leste: 56.72. 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
- Indonesia 72.75
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
5.241
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Timor-Leste: 5.241. 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
- Indonesia 1.275
02Over time
Which way Timor-Leste 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
Timor-LesteWorld median
Timor-Leste fell from 11.74 in 2008 to 6.877 in 2023; the world median went from 3.878 to 3.393.
Every year’s figures
Year Timor-Leste World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 6.877 3.393 2022 — 3.002 2021 — 3.330 2020 5.157 2.678 2019 5.700 2.758 2018 5.591 2.439 2017 4.850 2.907 2016 7.226 2.954 2015 6.662 3.052 2014 6.776 3.904 2013 6.469 3.413 2012 6.470 3.408 2011 4.035 3.626 2010 5.932 3.491 2009 7.253 3.577 2008 11.742 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 — 4.571 2004 — 3.791 2003 — 4.412 2002 — 4.144 2001 — 4.051 2000 — 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
Timor-LesteWorld median
Timor-Leste rose from 55.28 in 2013 to 58.92 in 2020; the world median went from 88 to 88.32.
Every year’s figures
Year Timor-Leste World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 — 87.7 2021 — 87.0 2020 58.9 88.3 2019 50.8 88.8 2018 43.0 89.6 2017 43.2 87.4 2016 73.3 87.9 2015 74.3 88.2 2014 61.6 89.2 2013 55.3 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
Timor-LesteWorld median
Timor-Leste rose from 34.06 in 2000 to 56.72 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Timor-Leste World median 2025 56.72 64.9 2024 55.59 65.0 2023 54.69 64.2 2022 53.80 63.6 2021 52.90 62.9 2020 51.85 62.2 2019 50.93 61.5 2018 50.01 60.9 2017 49.49 60.5 2016 49.44 60.1 2015 49.77 58.9 2014 50.06 57.0 2013 50.09 54.7 2012 49.96 52.4 2011 49.81 50.9 2010 49.29 49.5 2009 48.23 48.5 2008 46.83 47.4 2007 45.07 46.2 2006 43.29 45.0 2005 41.45 43.8 2004 39.72 42.9 2003 38.20 41.6 2002 36.69 40.3 2001 35.32 39.0 2000 34.06 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
Timor-LesteWorld median
Timor-Leste fell from 8.67 in 2008 to 5.241 in 2023; the world median went from 4.423 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Timor-Leste World median 2023 5.24 3.7092 2022 — 4.0570 2021 2.97 4.2611 2020 3.65 4.4056 2019 4.18 4.1407 2018 6.85 4.2159 2017 7.17 4.1401 2016 8.13 4.2342 2015 8.47 4.2386 2014 7.51 4.2005 2013 5.67 4.3493 2012 7.16 4.0348 2011 10.19 3.9987 2010 11.11 4.1396 2009 12.90 4.6638 2008 8.67 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
Timor-Leste 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.
Timor-Leste 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indonesia | 117th | 1.071 | 88.16 | 72.75 | 1.275 |
| Timor-Leste | =123rd | 6.877 | 58.92 | 56.72 | 5.241 |
“—”: 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 Timor-Leste in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Timor-Leste is ahead of the world, and behind
14 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 median2
Statistics on which Timor-Leste does better than the middle country measured.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.3220.446No earlier reading
Timor-Leste: 0.322 · 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 130th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.7310.619▲ Improved since 2015
Timor-Leste: 0.731 · 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 69th of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Timor-Leste does worse than the middle country measured.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.2513.34No real change since 2013
Timor-Leste: 13.25 · 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 102nd of 195 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.3630.529No earlier reading
Timor-Leste: 0.363 · 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.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2167.2689.21▲ Improved since 2015
Timor-Leste: 67.26 · 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 107th of 164 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9416.2937.941▲ Improved since 2010
Timor-Leste: 6.293 · 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 122nd of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4382.0797.43▲ Improved since 2015
Timor-Leste: 82.07 · 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 123rd of 165 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9336.2279.933▲ Improved since 2013
Timor-Leste: 6.227 · 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 149th of 193 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32371.44414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Timor-Leste: 371.44 · 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 134th of 172 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2286.1398.22No earlier reading
Timor-Leste: 86.13 · 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.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9969.493.99No earlier reading
Timor-Leste: 69.4 · 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 142nd of 172 · derived.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2795.9725.279Moved since 2002
Timor-Leste: 5.972 · 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.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 222No earlier reading
Timor-Leste: 2 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2404342,240Moved since 2022
Timor-Leste: 434 · 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.
No current reading for Timor-Leste
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2022), Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2023), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2014), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2020), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2023), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2020), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2020), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2023), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2023), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary (last 2020), Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, School Life Expectancy (last 2010), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2020), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2023), Trust in Scientists and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2022). 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 Timor-Leste’s 15 topics
Education & Knowledge is Timor-Leste’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Securityjoint 30th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability32nd of 1864/4 keys
- Gender & Equality51st of 1833/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 73rd of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality77th of 1592/3 keys
- Work & Labour90th of 1824/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions114th of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 123rd of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade111th of 1772/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 147th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience146th of 1933/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing177th of 2003/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture164th of 1843/4 keys
- Digital & Technology182nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation167th of 1762/4 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 Timor-Leste 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
Timor-Leste=123rd4/4 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
Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste rank on education & knowledge?
Timor-Leste is placed joint 123rd 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 Timor-Leste?
6.877 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 Timor-Leste?
58.92 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 Timor-Leste compare with Indonesia on education & knowledge?
Indonesia is placed 117th of 198, and Timor-Leste joint 123rd. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Indonesia 1.071, Timor-Leste 6.877; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Indonesia 88.16, Timor-Leste 58.92; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Indonesia 72.75, Timor-Leste 56.72; Government Spending on Education: Indonesia 1.275, Timor-Leste 5.241.
How have Timor-Leste’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 11.74 in 2008 to 6.877 in 2023; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 55.28 in 2013 to 58.92 in 2020; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 34.06 in 2000 to 56.72 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 8.67 in 2008 to 5.241 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Timor-Leste?
No current reading is published for Timor-Leste on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 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, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio, Trust in Scientists 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 14 statistics on this page come from 6 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
Timor-Leste’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Timor-Leste (banner) — Nhobgood Nick Hobgood, 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). Timor-Leste: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/timor-leste/education