Through a series of interactive maps, the eAtlas presents the global and thematic indicators for each SDG 4 target as well as ‘placeholders’ for indicators not yet available.

Automatically updated with the latest data, the maps present key findings related to learning, equity and the quality of education by, for example, illustrating basic proficiency levels in reading and mathematics, completion rates from primary to tertiary education, the percentage of children out of school, the amount being spent on each pupil’s education, and the supply of qualified teachers. It also goes further to explore gender disparities, the relevance of education, the safety of the school environment, and the number of adults who are enrolled in primary education programmes.

The one-stop shop for education data

The eAtlas is designed to be the one-stop shop for education data. With just a couple of clicks, anyone – an expert statistician or an ordinary member of the public – can explore the data on digital literacy in Turkey, for example, or school bullying in Namibia. Every map view can be customised and shared via social media as well, as downloaded and embedded within websites, blogs, presentations and reports. Through this highly-visual approach, countries can easily explore the data and use the indicators to develop their own monitoring frameworks.

The eAtlas is a ‘work in progress’, with new data being added as they become available. For example, five of the SDG 4 targets involve the measurement of learning, for which there is, as yet, no agreed framework for the production of internationally-comparable indicators. In response, the UIS is working with a range of partners to produce the data through initiatives, such as the Global Alliance to Monitor Learning and the Technical Cooperation Group on SDG 4–Education 2030 Indicators. 

The eAtlas directly reflects the UIS mandate to produce the internationally-comparable data needed to monitor progress and ultimately achieve SDG 4.