This report provides comparable national statistics measuring the state of education worldwide. It shows that, despite overall growth in tertiary attainment, family background continues to strongly influence who pursues higher education. Tertiary education systems should maintain rigorous standards even as they expand access.

Key findings

• Educational attainment remains high, but unequal opportunities persist.
• Equitable access to education is a key driver of social mobility.
• Despite rising educational attainment, literacy and numeracy skills of adults in most OECD countries stagnated or declined between 2012 and 2023.
• Low tertiary completion rates undermine the return on public investment, deepen skills shortages and limit access to opportunities. Completion rates are particularly low among men.
• Teacher shortages need to be tackled to strengthen education systems.
• 26% of young adults from less-educated families held a tertiary qualification, versus 70% from highly educated households, in 2023.

The report is accompanied by a country note on Australia. The note provides an overview of the key characteristics of the education system in Australia based on data from the report.