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International Comparisons

Enrollment Rates by Country

Last Updated: May 2023
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In 2020, the United States had one of the lowest enrollment rates among 3- and 4-year-olds (54 percent) of any OECD country; only Costa Rica, Greece, Switzerland, and Türkiye had lower enrollment rates (48, 37, 26, and 22 percent, respectively).
This indicator uses data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to compare educational enrollment rates by age group across countries.1 The latest year for which these data are available is 2020.2 Data reported by the OECD for 2020 correspond to the 2019–20 school year in the United States, so these data represent enrollments prior to the coronavirus pandemic. As of 2021, the OECD is a group of 38 countries whose purpose is to promote trade and economic growth. The OECD also collects and publishes an array of data on its member countries.
Across OECD countries, students generally follow a similar pathway through the education system. The OECD reports enrollment levels based on the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011. According to this classification system, children may be enrolled in an early childhood educational development program and/or a preprimary education program before beginning primary (elementary) education.3,4 Across OECD countries, compulsory education typically begins at the start of primary education.5 Upon completion of primary education, students progress through lower secondary (middle school) and upper secondary (high school) education. Compulsory education typically ends during or at the completion of upper secondary education—around age 17 or 18 in the United States. Students may then continue on to either postsecondary nontertiary education (short career/technical educational programs) or tertiary education (postsecondary degree programs). While the educational pathway is similar across OECD countries, enrollment rates differ across countries and age groups.6

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All available findings Grade level/Student level
Figure 1. Percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school, by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country: 2020
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1 Excludes the German-Speaking Community of Belgium.

2 Refers to the mean of the data values for all reporting Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (including those that had been invited to become members and were under review, referred to as the accession process), to which each country reporting data contributes equally.

NOTE: Of the 38 OECD countries, 37 are included in this figure. Canada is excluded because the 2020 enrollment rate for 3- and 4-year-olds is not available. For each country, this figure shows the number of 3- and 4-year-olds who are enrolled in that country as a percentage of that country’s total population of 3- and 4-year-olds. If a country enrolls many residents of other countries, the country’s enrollment rates may be overestimated, and could exceed 100 percent. Enrollment rates exceeding 100 percent have been capped at 100 percent in this figure. Conversely, if a country has many residents who are enrolled outside of the country, the country’s enrollment rates may be underestimated. Enrollment rate estimates can also be affected if population and enrollment data were collected at different times. This figure includes students enrolled in both public and private schools and both full-time and part-time students, such as students who are enrolled in regular schools for a fraction of their time and receiving education in other forms for the remaining time. Data are generally collected for the school year ending in the reported year for each country. For example, for reported year 2020, the reference period is generally school year 2019-20 for Northern Hemisphere countries and 2020 for Southern Hemisphere countries. For more information on the school year reported by OECD countries, see Annex Table X1.3 here: https://stat.link/3ha7ok. Readers should interpret comparisons with caution because some countries reported data from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic and others from after. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.

SOURCE: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Online Education Database. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 601.35.

In recent years, many OECD countries (although not the United States) have begun to offer universal legal entitlements to early childhood education programs to all children for at least 1 or 2 years before the start of compulsory schooling.7 As a result, on average, 82 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled at any education level across OECD countries in 2020.8,9 In comparison, 54 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds in the United States were enrolled.10 Among the 37 countries11 for which the OECD reported 2020 data, enrollment rates among 3- and 4-year-olds were
  • lowest (22 percent) in Türkiye;
  • lower than the average rate across OECD countries in 10 countries, including the United States;
  • higher than the average rate across OECD countries in 27 countries, including 18 countries with enrollment rates of at least 90 percent; and
  • highest (approximately 100 percent) in France, Ireland, Israel, and the United Kingdom.12,13
In 2020, the United States had one of the lowest enrollment rates among 3- and 4-year-olds (54 percent)14 of any OECD country; only Costa Rica, Greece, Switzerland, and Türkiye had lower enrollment rates (48, 37, 26, and 22 percent, respectively).
Figure 2. Percentage of 5- to 14-year-olds enrolled in school, by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country: 2020
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1 Excludes the German-Speaking Community of Belgium.

2 Refers to the mean of the data values for all reporting Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (including those that had been invited to become members and were under review, referred to as the accession process), to which each country reporting data contributes equally.

3 Data on International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011 level 1 (primary or elementary education) by age refer only to pupils enrolled in public institutions.

NOTE: All 38 OECD countries are included in this figure. For each country, this figure shows the number of 5- to 14-year-olds who are enrolled in that country as a percentage of that country’s total population of 5- to 14-year-olds. If a country enrolls many residents of other countries, the country’s enrollment rates may be overestimated, and could exceed 100 percent. Enrollment rates exceeding 100 percent have been capped at 100 percent in this figure. Conversely, if a country has many residents who are enrolled outside of the country, the country’s enrollment rates may be underestimated. Enrollment rate estimates can also be affected if population and enrollment data were collected at different times. This figure includes students enrolled in both public and private schools and both full-time and part-time students, such as students who are enrolled in regular schools for a fraction of their time and receiving education in other forms for the remaining time. Data are generally collected for the school year ending in the reported year for each country. For example, for reported year 2020, the reference period is generally school year 2019-20 for Northern Hemisphere countries and 2020 for Southern Hemisphere countries. For more information on the school year reported by OECD countries, see Annex Table X1.3 here: https://stat.link/3ha7ok. Readers should interpret comparisons with caution because some countries reported data from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic and others from after. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.

SOURCE: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Online Education Database. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 601.35.

Enrollment rates of 5- to 14-year-olds were similar across OECD countries in 2020.15 Among all 38 OECD countries, the percentage of 5- to 14-year-olds enrolled in school at any level was 98 percent on average, with a range between 94 and 100 percent. Enrollment rates for this age group were
  • lowest (94 percent) in the Slovak Republic;
  • 99 percent in the United States; and
  • highest (approximately 100 percent) in France, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Türkiye, and Denmark.
Enrollment among 5- to 14-year-olds in OECD countries was nearly universal in 2020 due to compulsory schooling laws that cover primary and lower secondary education programs in all OECD countries.
Enrollment Rates of 15- to 19-Year-Olds and Transition to Postsecondary Education
Figure 3. Percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds enrolled in school, by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country and level of education: 2020
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† Not applicable.

#Rounds to zero.

1 Enrollment data for upper secondary education (International Standard Classification of Education [ISCED] 2011 level 3) include postsecondary nontertiary enrollment (ISCED 2011 level 4).

2 Refers to the mean of the data values for all reporting Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (including those that had been invited to become members and were under review, referred to as the accession process), to which each country reporting data contributes equally.

3 Refers to ISCED 2011 level 2 (lower secondary education or middle school) and level 3 (upper secondary education or high school). Secondary education generally corresponds to grades 7–12 in the United States.

4 Refers to programs classified at ISCED 2011 level 4 (postsecondary nontertiary education). Postsecondary nontertiary education generally corresponds to postsecondary vocational programs below the associate’s degree level in the United States.

5 Postsecondary degree-granting programs (tertiary education programs) correspond to all postsecondary programs leading to associate’s and higher degrees in the United States. Includes ISCED 2011 level 5 (corresponding to U.S. programs at the associate’s degree level), level 6 (bachelor’s or equivalent level), level 7 (master’s or equivalent level), and level 8 (doctoral or equivalent level). Enrollment rates may not be directly comparable across countries due to differing definitions of tertiary education and the age at which it begins.

NOTE: Of the 38 OECD countries, 35 are included in this figure. Japan, Canada, and the Czech Republic are excluded because 2020 enrollment rates for 15- to 19-year-olds in these countries are not available for all education levels presented in the figure. For each country, this figure shows the number of 15- to 19-year-olds who are enrolled in that country as a percentage of that country’s total population of 15- to 19-year-olds. If a country enrolls many residents of other countries, the country’s enrollment rates may be overestimated. Conversely, if a country has many residents who are enrolled outside of the country, the country’s enrollment rates may be underestimated. Enrollment estimates can also be affected if population and enrollment data were collected at different times. Secondary and postsecondary enrollment categories may not be mutually exclusive. Countries, including the United States, may have reported some students as enrolled in both secondary and postsecondary programs (i.e., dual enrolled students). Readers should interpret the data with caution. In addition to secondary and postsecondary education, total enrollment in all levels of education may include enrollment in ISCED 2011 level 1 (primary or elementary education). This figure includes students enrolled in both public and private schools and both full-time and part-time students. Data are generally collected for the school year ending in the reported year for each country. For example, for reported year 2020, the reference period is generally school year 2019-20 for Northern Hemisphere countries and 2020 for Southern Hemisphere countries. For more information on the school year reported by OECD countries, see Annex Table X1.3 here: https://stat.link/3ha7ok. Readers should interpret comparisons with caution because some countries reported data from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic and others from after. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding or the inclusion of ISCED 2011 level 1 (primary or elementary education) enrollments in the total.

SOURCE: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Online Education Database. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 601.40.

In 2020, while all OECD countries had near universal enrollment of 5- to 14-year-olds, enrollment rates among 15- to 19-year-olds varied more widely across OECD countries. Part of this variation could be attributed to the end of compulsory schooling and the transition of some students into the labor market.16 Among the 37 countries17 for which the OECD reported 2020 data on 15- to 19-year-olds, the percentage enrolled in school at any level was
  • lowest (61 percent) in Colombia and Mexico;
  • 83 percent on average across OECD countries;
  • 84 percent in the United States; and
  • highest (94 percent) in Slovenia and Lithuania.18,19
The 15- to 19-year-old age group spans the period during which students generally finish secondary education and potentially go on to more advanced schooling.20 Among 15- to 19-year-olds who enroll in school after completion of secondary education, some transition to postsecondary non-degree-granting education programs. These generally correspond to postsecondary vocational programs below the associate’s degree level in the United States.21 Others may pursue postsecondary degree-granting education programs. These correspond to an associate’s or higher degree in the United States.22 On average across OECD countries in 2020, the majority of 15- to 19-year-olds were enrolled in secondary education, with smaller percentages enrolled in higher levels of education. Specifically,
  • 71 percent were enrolled in secondary education;
  • 1 percent were enrolled in postsecondary non-degree-granting education programs; and
  • 11 percent were enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting education programs.23
[Grade level/Student level]
When comparing the United States with the average across OECD countries in 2020, the enrollment rate of U.S. 15- to 19-year-olds at different levels was
  • lower for those enrolled in secondary education (64 vs. 71 percent);
  • similar for those enrolled in postsecondary non-degree-granting programs (just over 1 percent each); and
  • higher for those enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting programs (19 vs. 11 percent).
In all 26 countries for which the OECD reported 2020 data for secondary, postsecondary non-degree-granting, and postsecondary degree-granting education, higher percentages of 15- to 19-year-olds were enrolled in secondary education than in postsecondary non-degree-granting or postsecondary degree-granting programs. [Grade level/Student level]
In the United States and across OECD countries, it was more common for 15- to 19-year-olds to transition to a postsecondary degree-granting program than to a postsecondary non-degree-granting program after completing secondary education. Among the 27 countries24 for which the OECD reported 2020 data on postsecondary non-degree-granting programs, the percentages of 15- to 19-year-olds who were enrolled in such programs was less than 1 percent in 17 countries and ranged from 1 to 5 percent in the other 10 countries. Among the 37 countries25 for which the OECD reported 2020 data on postsecondary degree-granting programs, the percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds who were enrolled in such programs ranged from 1 percent in Denmark to 32 percent in the Republic of Korea. For all 26 countries17,18 for which the OECD reported 2020 data on both postsecondary non-degree-granting and postsecondary degree-granting education, enrollment rates of 15- to 19-year-olds in postsecondary non-degree-granting programs were lower than enrollment rates in postsecondary degree-granting programs. [Grade level/Student level]
The specific age at which students make the transition out of secondary education differs by country. In all 38 OECD countries, more than 70 percent of 15- and 16-year-olds were enrolled in secondary education in 2020. This was also true for 17-year-olds in all countries except for Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. In all OECD countries, the percentage of 17-year-olds in secondary education was higher than the percentage in a postsecondary degree-granting program in 2020. For 18-year-olds, the percentage enrolled in secondary education was higher than the percentage enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program in 27 of the 37 OECD countries for which 2020 data were available. In 13 of the 37 OECD countries for which 2020 data were available for 19-year-olds, a higher percentage of this age group was enrolled in secondary education than was enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program. In the United States, 100 percent of 15-year-olds, 29 percent of 18-year-olds, and 5 percent of 19-year-olds were enrolled in secondary education in 2020. [Grade level/Student level]
Figure 4. Percentage of 19-year-olds enrolled in school, by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country and level of education: 2020
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† Not applicable.

# Rounds to zero.

1 Refers to the mean of the data values for all reporting Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (including those that had been invited to become members and were under review, referred to as the accession process), to which each country reporting data contributes equally.

2 Enrollment data for upper secondary education (International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011 level 3) include postsecondary nontertiary enrollment (ISCED 2011 level 4).

3 Refers to ISCED 2011 level 2 (lower secondary education or middle school) and level 3 (upper secondary education or high school). Secondary education generally corresponds to grades 7–12 in the United States.

4 Refers to programs classified at ISCED 2011 level 4 (postsecondary nontertiary education). Postsecondary nontertiary education generally corresponds to postsecondary vocational programs below the associate’s degree level in the United States.

5 Postsecondary degree-granting programs (tertiary education programs) correspond to all postsecondary programs leading to associate’s and higher degrees in the United States. Includes ISCED 2011 level 5 (corresponding to U.S. programs at the associate’s degree level), level 6 (bachelor’s or equivalent level), level 7 (master’s or equivalent level), and level 8 (doctoral or equivalent level). Enrollment rates may not be directly comparable across countries due to differing definitions of postsecondary education and the age at which it begins.

NOTE: Of the 38 OECD countries, 35 are included in this figure. Japan, Canada, and the Czech Republic are excluded because 2020 enrollment rates for 19-year-olds in these countries are not available for all education levels presented in the figure. For each country, this figure shows the number of 19-year-olds who are enrolled in that country as a percentage of that country’s total population of 19-year-olds. If a country enrolls many residents of other countries, the country’s enrollment rates may be overestimated. Conversely, if a country has many residents who are enrolled outside of the country, the country’s enrollment rates may be underestimated. Enrollment estimates can also be affected if population and enrollment data were collected at different times. Secondary and postsecondary enrollment categories may not be mutually exclusive. Countries, including the United States, may have reported some students as enrolled in both secondary and postsecondary programs (i.e., dual enrolled students). Readers should interpret the data with caution. In addition to secondary and postsecondary education, total enrollment in all levels of education may include enrollment in ISCED 2011 level 1 (primary or elementary education). This figure includes students enrolled in both public and private schools and both full-time and part-time students. Data are generally collected for the school year ending in the reported year for each country. For example, for reported year 2020, the reference period is generally school year 2019-20 for Northern Hemisphere countries and 2020 for Southern Hemisphere countries. For more information on the school year reported by OECD countries, see Annex Table X1.3 here: https://stat.link/3ha7ok. Readers should interpret comparisons with caution because some countries reported data from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic and others from after. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.

SOURCE: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Online Education Database. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 601.40.

Since enrolling in a postsecondary degree-granting program was the most prevalent educational pathway in the United States among those who enroll in school after secondary education, the next portion of this indicator examines how the transition from secondary education to a postsecondary degree-granting program in the United States compares with other OECD countries. Examining enrollment rates of 19-year-olds draws out differences in the typical age students transition from secondary education to a postsecondary degree-granting program across countries. The percentage of 19-year-olds in the United States enrolled in school at any level and the average percentage across OECD countries were both 61 percent in 2020. As previously noted, in 13 of the 37 OECD countries for which 2020 data were available for 19-year-olds, a higher percentage of this age group was enrolled in secondary education than in a postsecondary degree-granting program. In the remaining 24 countries—including the United States—a higher percentage of 19-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program than in secondary education. In 2020, in the United States,
  • 5 percent of 19-year-olds were enrolled in secondary education, which was lower than the average for OECD countries (23 percent); and
  • 53 percent of 19-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program, which was higher than the average of OECD countries (35 percent).
[Grade level/Student level]
Figure 5. Percentage of 20- to 29-year-olds enrolled in school, by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country and level of education: 2020
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# Rounds to zero.

1 Refers to the mean of the data values for all reporting Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (including those that had been invited to become members and were under review, referred to as the accession process), to which each country reporting data contributes equally.

2 In general, 20- to 29-year-olds who are enrolled in school but not in a postsecondary degree-granting program are enrolled in a postsecondary non-degree-granting program or in secondary education. Postsecondary non-degree-granting programs refer to programs classified at International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011 level 4. ISCED 2011 level 4 (postsecondary nontertiary education) typically corresponds to postsecondary vocational programs below the associate’s degree level in the United States. “Secondary education” refers to ISCED 2011 level 2 (lower secondary education or middle school) and level 3 (upper secondary education or high school) and generally corresponds to grades 7–12 in the United States.

3 Corresponds to all postsecondary degree-granting programs leading to associate’s and higher degrees in the United States. Includes ISCED 2011 level 5 (corresponding to U.S. programs at the associate’s degree level), level 6 (bachelor’s or equivalent level), level 7 (master’s or equivalent level), and level 8 (doctoral or equivalent level). Enrollment rates may not be directly comparable across countries due to differing definitions of postsecondary education and the age at which it begins.

NOTE: Of the 38 OECD countries, 37 are included in this figure. Japan is excluded because 2020 enrollment rates for 20- to 29-year-olds are not available. For each country, this figure shows the number of 20- to 29-year-olds enrolled in that country as a percentage of that country’s total population of 20- to 29-year-olds. If a country enrolls many residents of other countries, the country’s enrollment rates may be overestimated. Conversely, if a country has many residents who are enrolled outside of the country, the country’s enrollment rates may be underestimated. Enrollment estimates can also be affected if population and enrollment data were collected at different times. Secondary and postsecondary enrollment categories may not be mutually exclusive. Countries, including the United States, may have reported some students as enrolled in both secondary and postsecondary programs (i.e., dual enrolled students). Readers should interpret the data with caution. This figure includes students enrolled in both public and private schools and both full-time and part-time students. Data are generally collected for the school year ending in the reported year for each country. For example, for reported year 2020, the reference period is generally school year 2019-20 for Northern Hemisphere countries and 2020 for Southern Hemisphere countries. For more information on the school year reported by OECD countries, see Annex Table X1.3 here: https://stat.link/3ha7ok. Readers should interpret comparisons with caution because some countries reported data from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic and others from after. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data. For example, the enrollment rate for Belgium is displayed as 30 percent, although the unrounded value is 29.7 percent. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.

SOURCE: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Online Education Database. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 601.40.

Among the 37 countries26 for which the OECD reported 2020 data on 20- to 29-year-olds, the percentage enrolled in school at any level was
  • lowest (12 percent) in Luxembourg;
  • 25 percent in the United States;
  • 28 percent on average across OECD countries;
  • 30 percent or more in 12 countries; and
  • highest (41 percent) in Türkiye.
The 20- to 29-year-old age group spans the period during which students generally persist through (and potentially complete) a postsecondary degree-granting education program. In 36 of the 37 OECD countries for which 2020 data were available, higher percentages of 20- to 29-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program than were enrolled in lower levels of education. In 2020, the percentage enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program ranged from 6 percent in Luxembourg to 37 percent in Türkiye, while the percentage enrolled in lower levels of education ranged from less than 1 percent in the Republic of Korea to 14 percent in Sweden. In the United States, 23 percent of 20- to 29-year-olds were enrolled in a postsecondary degree-granting program, which was higher than the average of OECD countries (22 percent) in 2020. One percent of U.S. 20- to 29-year-olds were enrolled in lower levels of education, compared with 5 percent on average across OECD countries that year.

1 Enrollment rates in this indicator include students enrolled in both public and private schools and both full-time and part-time students, such as students who are enrolled in regular schools for a fraction of their time and receiving education in other forms for the remaining time.

2 Data were generally collected for the school year ending in the reported year for each country. For example, for reported year 2020, the reference period was generally school year 2019–20 for Northern Hemisphere countries and 2020 for Southern Hemisphere countries. For more information on the school year reported by OECD countries, see Annex Table X1.3 here: https://stat.link/3ha7ok. Readers should interpret comparisons with caution because some countries reported data from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic and others from after.

3 According to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011, early childhood educational development programs are targeted at children ages 0–2 and preprimary education programs are targeted at children age 3 years until the start of primary education. The upper age limit for preprimary education depends on the starting age of primary education. (See http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/international-standard-classification-of-education-isced-2011-en.pdf.) Preschool and kindergarten programs in the United States fall into the level 0 category, although kindergarten is typically considered an elementary grade in the United States. For information on specific early learning programs in the United States, see https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/earlylearning/about.html.

4 According to the ISCED 2011, the boundary between preprimary and primary coincides with the transition point in an education system where systematic teaching and learning in reading, writing, and mathematics begins. Further, the classification specifies that, while some preprimary programs may already provide some introduction in reading, writing, and mathematics, programs at this level do not yet give children sound basic skills in these areas, and thus do not sufficiently fulfill the criteria for classification as primary education. The transition from preprimary to primary education is typically marked by entry into nationally designated primary, elementary, or basic educational institutions or programs. (See http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/international-standard-classification-of-education-isced-2011-en.pdf.) Kindergarten in the United States is an example of a preprimary program according to the ISCED 2011, though the characteristics of a typical U.S. kindergarten program are not necessarily aligned with the ISCED description of a preprimary program. For example, kindergarten in the United States generally does have a curriculum that includes systematic teaching and learning in reading, writing, and mathematics.

5 OECD. (2022). Who Participates in Education? In Education at a Glance 2022: OECD Indicators. (Indicator B1, pp. 128–142). Paris: OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2022_0fa2377d-en.

6 This indicator focuses on differences in enrollment rates across countries. These national-level estimates may mask important variations in enrollment rates within a country, such as by region, gender, or other demographic attributes.

7 OECD. (2022). How Do Early Childhood Education Systems Differ Around the World? In Education at a Glance 2022: OECD Indicators. (Indicator B2, pp. 144–165). Paris: OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2022_63190ffa-en.

8 While these enrollment rates include 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school at any level, 3- and 4-year-olds across OECD countries are generally enrolled in programs classified by the ISCED 2011 as ISCED 0 (early childhood education). In the United States, programs commonly referred to as preprimary school, preschool, nursery school, or prekindergarten would be classified as ISCED 0. Child care that is not primarily designed to provide educational experiences, is not included in ISCED 0.

9 Throughout this indicator, the “average of OECD countries” refers to the mean of the data values for all reporting OECD countries (including those that had been invited to become members and were under review, referred to as the accession process), to which each country reporting data contributes equally. Countries excluded from analyses in this indicator may be included in the average of OECD countries.

10 These data on the percentages of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school in the U.S. are derived from a question on the Current Population Survey (CPS) that asks a household respondent if children in the household are “attending or enrolled in nursery school, kindergarten or elementary school.” Because the question refers to “school,” the data may not include children in all types of early care and education care programs that are designed to provide educational experiences.

11 Canada is excluded because 2020 data on the enrollment rate of 3- and 4-year-olds are not available.

12 Throughout this indicator, categorizations of countries are based on unrounded data.

13 Some of a country’s population may be enrolled in a different country, and some persons enrolled in the country may be residents of a different country. If a country enrolls many residents of other countries, the country’s enrollment rates may be overestimated, and could exceed 100 percent. Enrollment rates exceeding 100 percent have been capped at 100 percent. Conversely, if a country has many residents who are enrolled outside of the country, the country’s enrollment rates may be underestimated. Enrollment rate estimates could also be affected if population and enrollment data were collected at different times.

14 For more recent data on U.S. enrollment rates during the coronavirus pandemic, see Enrollment Rates of Young Children.

15 While enrollment rates include 5- to 14-year-olds enrolled in school at any level, students of this age group across OECD countries are generally enrolled in programs classified as ISCED 1 (primary education or elementary school) or ISCED 2 (lower secondary education or middle school). In the United States, ISCED 1 corresponds to grades 1–6 and ISCED 2 corresponds to grades 7–9.

16 OECD. (2017). Transition From School to Work: How Hard is It Across Different Age Groups? Education Indicators in Focus (No. 54). https://doi.org/10.1787/1e604198-en.

17 Japan is excluded because 2020 data on enrollment rates of 15- to 19-year-olds are not available for all levels of education.

18 Secondary and postsecondary enrollment categories may not be mutually exclusive. Countries, including the United States, may have reported some students as enrolled in both secondary and postsecondary programs (i.e., dual enrolled students). Readers should interpret the data with caution.

19 In addition to secondary and postsecondary education, may include enrollment in ISCED 2011 level 1 (primary or elementary education).

20 Secondary education includes programs classified as ISCED 2 (lower secondary education or middle school) and ISCED 3 (upper secondary education or high school). Secondary education generally corresponds to grades 7–12 in the United States.

21 Refers to programs classified at ISCED level 4 (postsecondary nontertiary education).

22 Postsecondary degree-granting programs include ISCED level 5 (corresponding to U.S. programs at the associate’s degree level), level 6 (bachelor’s or equivalent level), level 7 (master’s or equivalent level), and level 8 (doctoral or equivalent level). Enrollment rates may not be directly comparable across countries due to differing definitions of tertiary education and the age at which it begins.

23 The average of OECD countries for the percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds enrolled in postsecondary non-degree-granting programs excludes Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom because postsecondary non-degree-granting programs were not offered in these countries and excludes Canada and the Czech Republic because 2020 data on enrollment rates of 15- to 19-year-olds in postsecondary non-degree-granting programs are not available. The average of OECD countries for the percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds enrolled in postsecondary degree-granting programs excludes Japan because 2020 data on enrollment rates of 15- to 19-year-olds in postsecondary degree-granting programs are not available.

24 Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom are excluded because postsecondary non-degree-granting programs were not offered in these countries. Canada and the Czech Republic are excluded because 2020 data on enrollment rates of 15- to 19-year-olds in postsecondary non-degree-granting programs are not available.

25 Japan is excluded because 2020 data on enrollment rates of 15- to 19-year-olds in postsecondary degree-granting programs are not available.

26 Japan is excluded because 2020 data on enrollment rates of 20- to 29-year-olds are not available.

Supplemental Information

Suggested Citation

National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). Enrollment Rates by Country. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved [date], from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgh.
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