A recent report by CBRE Research has ranked countries based on the proportion and total number of adults aged 25 to 64 who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, offering insight into which nations boast the most educated populations.
Ireland leads the world in education attainment rate, with 52.4% of its working-age population holding a university degree. Close behind are Switzerland (46.0%), Singapore (45.0%), and Belgium (44.1%), reflecting strong education systems across Europe and parts of Asia.
The United States stands out with 78.2 million degree holders, making it one of the most educated nations in both percentage (40.3%) and absolute numbers. Similarly, India tops the global chart in sheer numbers, with 139.4 million graduates, despite only 14.2% of its eligible population holding degrees.
China follows with 88.1 million educated adults, although its education rate is the lowest on the list at 6.9%, underscoring a significant disparity between population size and degree attainment.
Other notable entries include Japan (25.4M, 34.8%), Germany (17.7M, 32.9%), and Canada (14.8M, 36.9%). Meanwhile, Europe dominates the rankings in education rate, accounting for over half of the top 20 spots.
The data highlights two key trends: countries with smaller populations like Ireland and Switzerland lead in education rates, while populous nations such as India, China, and the U.S. dominate in total numbers. The findings underscore global imbalances in access to higher education and the role of national investment in shaping educational outcomes.
