With education being one of the most important aspects of a person’s life, it pays to know which country offers the best education for its citizens. Gaining knowledge and skills and applying them in the real world is paramount to success and progress, no matter what field you choose.
All things considered, different countries have very different educational systems. So in this article, we aim to evaluate which one reigns supreme in the world. From rankings to quality, we’ll cover the below topics to provide you with a comprehensive analysis of which country is the number one in education.
1. Comparison of Education Devotion Across Countries
When looking at the educational field, in terms of who is the most devoted to education, the answer appears to be Finland. However, when compared to other countries, Finland has a relatively small population.
This means that to have a more general comparison of educational devotion, then the countries with the highest educational expenditure should be looked at. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand are the countries that spend the most on education out of all the developed nations. The US spends an estimated $1205 billion per year on education, equating to
3% of its gross domestic product (GDP), followed by Canada, who spends $87 billion annually, making up
7% of its GDP. Meanwhile, the UK spends $82 billion annually, which covers
6% of its GDP. Australia expends $7
2 billion each year, making up around 9% of its annual GDP and finally, New Zealand’s educational spending is estimated to be around $18 billion annually, which stands at around
1% of its overall GDP.
2. Comparison of Education Quality Across Countries
No matter what country we’re looking at, one of the most pressing questions is always: How is the quality compared to other countries, and which one has the best education system? In terms of quality, Finland, often considered the ‘miracle’ of education systems, usually remains at the top for its rigorous assessment system and in-depth evaluation; but with the proliferation of technology, information and ever-growing global competition, Finland’s position in the upper echelon of education is not a given. The US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are usually seen to perform relatively well when tested against other countries such as South Korea and Japan; but research conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) paints a different picture.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results released by the OECD in 2018 show that Singapore, Japan and South Korea have occupied the top three places on the list of best education systems globally, while the aforementioned ‘big five’ countries of the developed world have found themselves slipping to fourth, 11th, 14th, 23rd and 25th, respectively.
3. Comparison of Other Ranking Parameters Across Countries
Apart from the already discussed quality and amount of spending, there are other parameters to consider when trying to decide which country has the best education. In terms of student performance skills, South Korea, Japan and Singapore have hundreds of thousands of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals, which is a testament to the quality of their respective education systems.
Another important metric is the cost of an education, which usually depends on the type of school and how it’s funded. Private schools, for example, tend to be very expensive and their fees can be prohibitive. The US, Canada and Australia are among the most expensive places to receive an education, while Spain, France, and the Nordic countries are much more affordable.
Finally, there is the matter of output in the form of student graduation rates. A 2017 report from the OECD Department of Education found that the US had one of the lowest graduation rates among advanced countries in the world, at a mere 8
1%, compared to Finland, which has an impressive rate of 95%.
4. Critical Analysis of the Best Education System
In our attempt to find out which country has the best education system, it’s important to draw some conclusions from all of these metrics. Every nation has its pros and cons when it comes to education, but the fact of the matter is that the best education environment depends on the individual and their needs.
After all, a person’s choice of education will determine their future and it’s important to pick the right course of study that suits their aspirations. When it comes to sheer quality, Singapore stands out as the best in the world as it provides students with a good balanced approach to education with good emphasis on STEM. Also, students in Singapore have access to some of the best laws and regulations regarding education.
The US is quite versatile, albeit expensive, in terms of education thanks to its many options, such as home schooling, extensive use of technology, and availability of a wide range of programmes. In terms of spending, the big five countries all offer good educational systems, along with plenty of financial incentives for students wishing to pursue further education. In terms of graduation rates, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Norway all have above-average graduation rates, which testifies to the great quality of their respective educational systems.
5. Advantages of System utilized by the Best Country in Education
The advantages of the education system utilized by the best country in the world are numerous and varied. For starters, Singapore, the purported number one education country, provides students with access to some of the best laws and regulations in regards to education.
Also, Singapore emphasizes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) courses, and produces a larger amount of students with a good grasp of this field of knowledge. As mentioned before, these students have access to some of the highest quality education, which can lead to fantastic results later in their lives. Also, the education system used in Singapore is quite adaptable, which means that should students wish to pursue a different field or branch of knowledge they can do so with relative ease.
Other countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all provide great learning environments, with plenty of financial incentives for students and teachers, in addition to a good amount of educational choices for specialisation.
6. Disadvantages of System utilized by the Best Country in Education
Despite offering some of the best education systems in the world, in some cases there are disadvantages associated with the system employed by the best country in the world. One of the biggest drawbacks of the system utilized by Singapore is the high price tag associated with an education.
The tuition fees for tertiary education in Singapore can be extremely high and prohibitive to many students. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have their own set of disadvantages when it comes to education systems as well, such as the pressure faced by students to succeed. These countries have significantly high expectations of their students, to the point where failure is not an option.
This can be discouraging to some students, who could later feel bitter and resentful of the system.
7. Recommendations to Improve Education in the Best Country in Education
To improve education in the best country in the world, there are a few steps and points of advice that should be followed. Firstly, it is important for the education system of the country to provide quality, as this will lead to satisfied and better-prepared students in the long run.
To achieve this, the country in question must focus on providing adequate resources to its teachers, as well as providing them with the training needed to run their classrooms efficiently. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, the country should focus on providing their students with the resources needed to truly excel and succeed in the educational field. This means that financial assistance for tertiary education should be provided, so more citizens have access to higher education and potential career opportunities.
Finally, it is important to remember that an attractive education system also requires an attractive modern facilities and infrastructure, to engage the students and to make them feel as if they are part of a vibrant and dynamic learning environment.
8. Relevance of Education Systems to Advancement of Technology
The relevance of education systems to the advancement of technology is difficult to overstate. As our world rapidly changes and becomes more and more technologically advanced, so does the importance of people with a good education. The innovation and production power of a country are heavily based on the competence and knowledge of its citizens, and this is why the best education systems in the world prioritize STEM fields and make sure that students have access to the best possible classrooms and teachers.
In Singapore, which stands apart from the rest of the world in terms of education rankings, students have access to some of the world’s most advanced technologies and equipment, which allows them to learn faster and develop the skills needed to keep up with the changing times. The other developed countries, such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have also stepped up their tech utilisation strategies, in order to make sure their citizens are up to date with the latest advances in technology.
9. Views of Global Leaders on Education Systems
In terms of views from global leaders on the best education system, many of them focus on the necessity of having a quality education system to back up the country’s economy. The US President Barack Obama said in 2011 at a University commencement address that a nation’s economic success depends directly on its educational system.
The late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, famously said in 2002 at a Stanford graduation: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. ” This is a testament to the importance of education, asserting that the only way to stay competitive and successful is by continually learning and growing.
The former Prime Minister of the UK, David Cameron, has also praised the importance of education, saying that: “Innovation and creativity depend on having the right skills and knowledge. ”
10. Evaluation of Education Systems of Countries with Rising Economies
When evaluating education systems of countries with rising economies, it is important to take into account multiple criteria such as quality of the education, cost, student performance and government expenditure. China is a country that exemplifies a quickly ascending economy, mainly due to its vast number of citizens and well-developed education system.
The Chinese education system is focused on the development of the mental and manual skills of the students, and recently the country has put more emphasis on the sciences, technology and engineering to back up its booming economy. The Indian education system is also on the rise, with India becoming one of the most promising economic powers of the world in the next few years. India’s rising economy is heavily supported by its education system, which is described as a mix of the British and American systems.
Other countries with higher education systems that are rapidly expanding and growing are Brazil, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
11. Comparison of Education in Developing and Developed Countries
When looking at education in developing and developed countries, stark differences can be seen, mainly in terms of funds allocated to schools and the quality of teaching offered. In regions like Latin America, Africa or Asia, the lack of resources and financial funds allocated by governments leave these countries’ education systems at a serious disadvantage. In contrast, developed countries provide much better learning environments and materials, thanks to the financial resources available to their respective governments.
In addition, in most developed countries, teachers are required to have either a college or university degree, making the quality of education superior to the one offered by developing countries.
12. Relevant Regulations, Laws and Policies in Education
In order to ensure the best possible education for all citizens, states need to have regulations, laws and policies in place. The US, for example, protects the rights of students with disabilities to be accommodated in the classroom, as laid out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The UK has the Children and Families Act (2014), which outlines a legal framework that ensures children of all backgrounds have access to a decent education to the best of their abilities. Meanwhile, Australia’s laws focuses on school attendance and creating a safe learning environment for students, while in Canada the focus is on accessibility, such as bilingualism and incentivising students to attend post-secondary education with grants and loans.
13. Expected Changes in the Future
Although it is impossible to determine what the future presents for a given education system, there are a few key changes that are likely to happen in the next few years. As the world becomes more globalised, education systems from different countries will become increasingly interconnected, thanks to advances in technology and mass communication.
This will lead to the uptake of best practices from other education systems, providing schools and students with access to a higher quality of education. At the same time, a greater emphasis will be placed on STEM fields, with governments incentivising students to pursue this line of study. Finally, the prevalence of online education solutions is also expected to increase, allowing more people to access education from anywhere in the world.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is difficult to state unequivocally which country has the best education system in the world. What is often overlooked is the fact that it is up to the individual to choose the best education system for them. Every country has different pros and cons when it comes to education, and it is ultimately up to the individual to decide their fate.
But if we use the information provided above, it’s easy to see that Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Finland have some of the best educational systems in the world. These countries, along with the ‘big five’ of the developed world, have all implemented some great regulations, laws and policies and have devoted large amounts of money towards improving their respective educational systems, leading to improved and more satisfactory results.
In the future, we can expect to see a combination of the best practices from the different countries in education, with an increased use of technology, and an emphasis on STEM fields. All in all, the future of education in the world appears to be quite bright.