- Summary
- Introduction
- Acknowledgements
- Indicators Part I: Population and School Enrollment
- Indicator 1: School-Age Population
- Indicator 2: Enrollment in Formal Education
- Indicator 3: Trends in Enrollment in Formal Education
- Indicator 4: International and Foreign Students in Higher Education
- Indicators Part II: Academic Performance
- Indicators Part III: Contexts for Learning
- Indicators Part IV: Expenditure for Education
- Indicators Part V: Education Returns: Educational Attainment and Income
- List of Tables
- List of Exhibit and Figures
- References
- Appendix A: The Education Systems of the G-20 Countries
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Indicator 2: Enrollment in Formal Education
G-20 Countries Included: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
In 2011, the percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds enrolled in formal education programs ranged from 34 percent in China to 92 percent in Germany.
This indicator describes the percentage of the population enrolled in formal education in the G-20 countries. It focuses on four age groups (3- to 4-year-olds, 5- to 14-year-olds, 15- to 19-year-olds, and 20- to 29-year-olds) and the percentage of the population in these groups enrolled in formal education (generally corresponding to preprimary education, primary and lower secondary education, upper secondary education, and higher education, respectively). It also examines the age ranges at which 90 percent or more of the population is enrolled in formal education in the G-20 countries and the age at which compulsory education ends.
In 2011, almost all 3- to 4-year-old children in France (99 percent) were enrolled in preprimary or primary education programs (table 2-1). In several other G-20 countries (Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom), the enrollment rates of 3- to 4-year-olds also exceeded 90 percent. The lowest enrollment rates were in Turkey (12 percent) and Indonesia (17 percent). In the United States, 64 percent of 3- to 4-year-olds were enrolled in preprimary or primary education, and it was not until age 6 that at least 90 percent of the population was enrolled in formal education (figure 2-1)
In 2011, the United States and all other reporting G-20 countries had universal or near universal school participation of children ages 5–14 (table 2-1). The lowest enrollment rate for this age group was in the Russian Federation, at 92 percent. The United States had an enrollment rate of 80 percent in 201 for youth ages 15–19. In the other G-20 countries reporting data, the percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds enrolled in formal education programs ranged from 34 percent in China to 92 percent in Germany (table 2-1).
The large variation in enrollment among 15- to 19-year-olds may reflect, in part, different policies regarding the age at which compulsory education should end. Compulsory education ends at age 17 in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the Russian Federation, and the United States; at age 16 in Canada, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom; at age 15 in Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and South Africa; and at age 14 in the Republic of Korea and Turkey (figure 2-1).6 Saudi Arabia has the lowest age when compulsory education ends (age 11), while Germany has the highest (age 18). Enrollment rates were at 90 percent or higher through the end of compulsory education in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom, but fell below this level in the other G-20 countries reporting data, including the United States.
Enrollment rates for 20- to 29-year-olds were below 30 percent in every G-20 country reporting data, except Australia, Germany, and the Republic of Korea (table 2-1). The U.S. enrollment rate of 27 percent was lower than the rates in Argentina (28 percent), Australia (33 percent), Germany (32 percent), and the Republic of Korea (30 percent), but higher than the rates in the other G-20 countries.
Definitions and Methodologie
"Formal education" is defined as education provided in the system of schools, colleges, universities, and other formal education institutions; it normally constitutes a continuous ladder of full-time education for children and young adults.
The percentage of the population at given ages enrolled in education is called an "enrollment rate." In this indicator, the term "enrollment rate" refers to the "net enrollment rate" and is defined as the number of students in a particular age group enrolled in education divided by the population of that same age group.
The reference year is 201 for population and enrollment data in all countries except Argentina and Canada, which have a reference year of 2010. However, because of different reference dates for school enrollment and population data within the reference year, enrollment rates may exceed 100 percent for some countries and some age groups.
Enrollments include all full-time and part-time students in public and private institutions. Enrollment in preprimary education programs (generally the 3- to 4-year-old age group) includes only children in preschool, nursery, or center-based day-care programs and excludes children in day-care programs operated in homes.
Compulsory education ends at the age at which individuals are no longer legally required to participate in formal education. For example, if compulsory education ends at age 18, it indicates that all students are legally obliged to participate in formal education until they reach that age. Universal enrollment indicates an enrollment rate of over 90 percent.
6 In some countries, the ending age of compulsory education is an average. For example, in the United States the age varies across states, ranging from 16 to 18, but the average age is 17 and the modal age is 18 (Snyder and Dillow 2013, table 197).