Which Country has the Best Education System?

As the global landscape continues to evolve, a strong education is more important than ever. With countries striving to equip their citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive world, many have questioned which country has the best education system?

Using recent data from US News which surveyed the quality of the public education system across 73 countries, we’ve found the six best countries in terms of education. In this blog, we’ll explore their education systems, looking at what makes them stand out from the rest in terms of educational offerings.

Denmark was ranked to have the best education system in the world for 2024. Education in Denmark is free and compulsory for all children aged 6-16, allowing easy access for all regardless of their socio-economic background. The annual expenditure per student from primary to tertiary level is one of the highest among OECD countries, showing a commitment to education by the government.

The curriculum of Denmark is holistic and focuses on creativity and critical thinking, rather than simply memorizing facts and figures. Formal tests and class rankings are avoided. This helps students to develop problem-solving skills and encourages them to engage more deeply with the subject matter. Teachers in Denmark are typically well-trained and highly qualified – it is a requirement of secondary school teachers to have a Master’s degree in two subjects, a major and a minor.

Sweden was ranked to have the second-best education system in the world for 2024. Public education is free across all levels, including university, ensuring education access is equal for all. Sweden places a strong emphasis on equality and ensuring equal opportunities are provided for all students.

Sweden starts education comparatively early, with around 90% of children aged 1-5 enrolled in a preschool. Here, there will be a focus on play-based learning helping prepare young children for the school system and encouraging them to associate learning with fun. The social and emotional well-being of students is valued alongside their academic attainment, and schools offer a variety of support services to care for pupils.

The UK was ranked to have the third-best education system for 2024. Education is free and compulsory for those aged 5-16 – those aged 16-18 will be required to continue with further education on a full-time or part-time basis, or start an apprenticeship.

UK schools follow a national curriculum which is broad and varied, allowing children to explore a range of subjects and develop a well-rounded education. There is an emphasis on academic achievement in the UK, which sees rigorous assessments such as GCSE’s for 16-year-olds and A Levels for 18-year-olds. This encourages pupils to reach and maintain high standards and helps them to prepare for further education and working life.

Finland was ranked to have the fourth-best education system for 2024. Public education is free for all, with compulsory schooling starting at 7, although the majority of parents send their children to pre-school before they reach this age.

Like Sweden, there is a significant reduction in formal tests, with just one mandatory test given at the end of senior high school. This helps to ease pressure on both the pupils and the teachers, removing league tables and the need to memorise facts, and instead allowing children to explore subjects and gain a deep understanding.

There is a national curriculum, but it allows for more flexibility, with no set texts. This allows teachers to adapt and develop what they teach to suit the needs of the class and the individual pupils, ensuring every child is engaged and successful.

Germany ranks fifth in the best education systems for 2024. Formal education is compulsory for everyone aged 6-18 and state schools are free.

Germany offers diverse educational pathways, which include general education schools as well as vocational training. This allows pupils to choose a path that aligns with their own interests, which helps children to be more engaged as well as preparing them for their life after education. In fact, around 50% of pupils take part in vocational training provided by companies, which see the dual system as a good way to acquire skills staff, which helps to lower youth unemployment levels.

Canada was ranked to have the sixth-best education system for 2024. State education is free and compulsory for all children aged 6-18. Over 95% of Canadians choose public school for their children, showing the high quality of education provision and negating the need to opt for private education.

The education system in Canada is controlled by the provincial and territorial governments, but these will follow standards set by the national government in order to maintain high standards. Canada invests more into its public schools than any other G7 country, resulting in quality facilities as well as highly-trained teachers. There is little disparity between schools across Canada, with the majority showing outstanding performance results.

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