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Panorama of Prague, Czech Republic, taken from Letensky hill showing the bridges on the River Vltava including The Charles Bridge.

Photo: john mcsporran from Trossachs, Scotland · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Education & Knowledge

joint26th

of 198 countries placed

Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Czechia on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 4

    Out-of-School Rate, Primary

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key: Primary-age children who are not in school at all: the floor of an education system.

    Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Czechia’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    0.809

    Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)

    Lower is better

    Czechia: 0.809. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.

    World median
    3.691
    Best in Eastern Europe
    0.092 Poland
    Land neighbours
    Austria 1.43 · Germany 0.274 · Poland 0.092 · Slovakia 1.064

    Each grey tick is one of 192 countries at its latest reading, 2014–2024.

  2. Key 2 of 4

    Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key: Whether children take part in organised learning in the year before primary school — whether an education system reaches them before it starts.

    Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Czechia’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    93.57

    Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)

    Higher is better

    Czechia: 93.57. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.

    World median
    85.9
    Best in Eastern Europe
    99.86 Poland
    Land neighbours
    Austria 97.24 · Germany 98.37 · Poland 99.86 · Slovakia 93.02

    Each grey tick is one of 187 countries at its latest reading, 2014–2024.

  3. Key 3 of 4

    Upper Secondary Completion Rate

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key: How far a schooling system carries the young people who get through primary — the only key here that measures anything past childhood.

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    90.39

    Upper secondary completion rate (%)

    Higher is better

    Czechia: 90.39. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.

    World median
    64.87
    Best in Eastern Europe
    97.25 Ukraine
    Land neighbours
    Austria 86.14 · Germany 80.95 · Poland 91.82 · Slovakia 93.3

    Each grey tick is one of 164 countries in the 2025 edition.

  4. Key 4 of 4

    Government Spending on Education

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key: What a state chooses to spend on education, as a share of its economy — the input, where the other two keys measure reach.

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    No reading

    Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)

    Higher is better

    UIS publishes no 2023 figure for Czechia, so the standing rests on the other keys.

    Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.

    World median
    3.709
    Best in Eastern Europe
    6.557 Moldova

    Each grey tick is one of 123 countries in the 2023 edition.

03In context

Czechia beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.

Eastern Europe
1st198thNot placed · 26 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on education & knowledge

Czechia and the countries it borders

The standing is each country’s place among all 198 placed on the topic; the other columns are the publishers’ own values, read at the edition the standing used.

CountryStandingOut-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%)Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%)Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Poland3rd0.09299.8691.82—
Germany=19th0.27498.3780.95—
Czechia=26th0.80993.5790.39—
Slovakia=26th1.06493.0293.3—
Austria33rd1.4397.2486.14—

“—” means the publisher gives no reading for that country in that edition. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed.

Across Eastern Europe

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.

Placed either side on education & knowledge

The countries immediately above and below Czechia in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Czechia is ahead of the world, and behind

28 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median20

Statistics on which Czechia does better than the middle country measured.

  • Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.978▲ Improved since 2015

    Czechia: 0.978 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.

    Position 1st of 176 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.9No real change since 2015

    Czechia: 99.9 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 11th of 165 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7691.39▼ Worsened since 2013

    Czechia: 91.39 · world median 65.76 · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 5.26 to 97.89; higher is better.

    Position 8th of 95 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93312.96No real change since 2013

    Czechia: 12.96 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.

    Position 18th of 193 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0896.01No earlier reading

    Czechia: 96.01 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.94111.12▲ Improved since 2010

    Czechia: 11.12 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.

    Position 21st of 172 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32512.22▲ Improved since 2010

    Czechia: 512.22 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.

    Position 23rd of 172 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.877.89No earlier reading

    Czechia: 77.89 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3416.79▼ Worsened since 2013

    Czechia: 16.79 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.

    Position 27th of 195 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5978.66No earlier reading

    Czechia: 78.66 · world median 58.59 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 5.043 to 88.83; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.974.48No earlier reading

    Czechia: 74.48 · world median 48.9 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.73 to 91.73; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.954,505No earlier reading

    Czechia: 4,505 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.

    Position 29th of 145 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35488.6▲ Improved since 2012

    Czechia: 488.6 · world median 440.35 · Mean reading score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 328.84 to 542.55; higher is better.

    Position 17th of 79 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09487▲ Improved since 2012

    Czechia: 487 · world median 442.09 · Mean mathematics score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 336.4 to 574.66; higher is better.

    Position 18th of 79 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93497.74▲ Improved since 2012

    Czechia: 497.74 · world median 446.93 · Mean science score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 347.1 to 561.43; higher is better.

    Position 18th of 79 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8141.834▼ Worsened since 2013

    Czechia: 1.834 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.

    Position 21st of 84 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.39No earlier reading

    Czechia: 0.39 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.

    Position 111th of 153 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2017 dataset

  • Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0214.21No earlier reading

    Czechia: 14.21 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.

    Position 87th of 125 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2196▼ Worsened since 2015

    Czechia: 96 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 55th of 164 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8621.96▼ Worsened since 2014

    Czechia: 21.96 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.

    Position 41st of 90 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Behind the world median1

Statistics on which Czechia does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8115.9▼ Worsened since 2012

    Czechia: 15.9 · world median 17.81 · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.771 to 34.57; higher is better.

    Position 42nd of 68 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

No better end7

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3557.23Moved since 2018

    Czechia: 57.23 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24025,049Moved since 2022

    Czechia: 25,049 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 26No earlier reading

    Czechia: 6 · world median 2 · Laureates born in the country, 1901 to date (people). Nobel Prize Outreach, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 296.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.336.14Moved since 2014

    Czechia: 36.14 · world median 35.3 · STEM graduates who are women (%; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 8.333 to 55.96.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6015.627Moved since 2014

    Czechia: 5.627 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2793.285No real change since 2013

    Czechia: 3.285 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1728.06No earlier reading

    Czechia: 28.06 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

06The top of the list

Who leads on education & knowledge

The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Czechia can most readily be measured against.

All 198 countries
  1. 1

    United Arab Emirates

    Western Asia

    1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys

    Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  2. 2

    Greece

    Southern Europe

    2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  3. 3

    Poland

    Eastern Europe

    3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest placed on all 4 keys

    Moldova7th4/4 keys
  2. Highest in Europe

    Greece2nd3/4 keys
  3. Highest in Eastern Europe

    Poland3rd3/4 keys
  4. This page

    Czechia=26th3/4 keys

Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

07Questions

Czechia on education & knowledge: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Czechia rank on education & knowledge?

Czechia is placed joint 26th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary and Upper Secondary Completion Rate). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Czechia?

0.809 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.

What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Czechia?

93.57 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.

How does Czechia compare with Germany on education & knowledge?

Germany is placed joint 19th of 198, and Czechia joint 26th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Germany 0.274, Czechia 0.809; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Germany 98.37, Czechia 93.57; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Germany 80.95, Czechia 90.39.

How have Czechia’s education & knowledge figures changed?

Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 0.031 in 2007 to 0.809 in 2023; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary fell from 97.29 in 2001 to 93.57 in 2023; Upper Secondary Completion Rate fell from 92.88 in 2000 to 90.39 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 3.62 in 2000 to 4.303 in 2022.

Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Czechia?

No current reading is published for Czechia on Adult Literacy Rate, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Spending on Education, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio, Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion and Youth Literacy Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

09Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.

About education & knowledge, in full

How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided, step by step

A standing is a place in a list, not a mark out of anything. This one is part of the Country Index 2026, and it is worked out like this.

  1. A few key indicators decide it; the rest are context. 4 indicators on this topic are keys and 42 are charted alongside them without a vote. That split is the point: if every statistic voted, importing five more of one kind would quietly change what the topic is about.
  2. Each key is read at one edition. ⚠ The keys behind this standing do not all describe the same year — they run from 2023 to 2025, because publishers release on their own schedules. Read the standing as “how this country places now”, not as a snapshot of one year.
  3. Every country’s published value is turned into a place within that one key’s own field, and then expressed as a share of that field — how far down this key’s list the country sits, rather than how many countries are above it. Keys where a higher published number is worse (terrorism, hunger, disaster risk) are turned round first, so the good end is always the same end.
  4. Dividing by the field first is the whole reason this works. A place carries the size of its list inside it: 22nd of 44 and 108th of 215 are the same showing, and averaging the numbers 22 and 108 says loudly that they are not. Fields on this site run from about 44 countries to about 215, so averaging raw places would reward a country for happening to be measured in small ones. Dividing each place by its own field removes the size and leaves only the showing.
  5. The shares are averaged, plainly. One key, one vote — no key is weighted above another, because any weighting would be this site’s opinion presented as a measurement. Countries are then put in order by that average, and the average itself is never published. It is our arithmetic with nothing anchoring it, so printing it would invite it to be read as a measurement somebody made. The position it produces, the band, and the keys it was built from are all published instead — every one of them checkable against the tables on this page.
  6. A country needs 2 of this topic’s 4 keys — half, rounded up, and never fewer than 2. A standing built from one reading, printed beside one built from four, is two different things sharing a column heading. 198 countries clear the bar here.
  7. A key has to earn its vote every edition. It must measure at least 120 countries (below that it starts measuring who was surveyed rather than the world), it must not have more than 10% of its field tied at either end, and it must not repeat another key in the same topic — Spearman correlation above 0.92 counts as repeating. A topic needs at least 2 surviving keys to place anyone at all; this one has 4.
  8. A standing is relative, and the grouping is ours. It says where a country places against the others measured alongside it, so it moves when they move. The publishers listed on this page did not agree to be read together, and each measures its subject its own way: the underlying numbers are theirs, the ordering on top is this site’s — the same method as the rest of the Country Index, applied to one subject instead of all of them.

The key statistics and their licences

The other 28 statistics on this page come from 9 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Czechia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Czechia: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/czechia/education

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