Changes to the UIS Education survey to provide more detailed data
New education data for the school year ending in 2013 are now available in the UIS Data Centre. This is the first set of data to be released following a new education survey, based on the revised International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011).
The UIS has been working with countries and statistical partners to implement the new classification of education levels in its data collection tools. The first phase required extensive training to help national statisticians remap their education systems according to ISCED 2011. The focus now lies in turning the raw data into internationally-comparable indicators that accurately reflect the education systems of today.
The first of three annual updates, the current data release covers 2013 or more recent data for 105 countries on enrolment, teachers and related indicators for pre-primary, primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education. At the tertiary level, 2013 or more recent data are available for 63 countries.
Education finance indicators, released annually, have been updated using the latest economic data from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Data for 28 countries are now available for the 2013 financial year.
The UIS works closely with Member States to ensure the accuracy, timeliness and comparability of international education statistics. The database covers all education levels and addresses key policy issues, such as gender parity, teachers and financing, in order to monitor Education for All and Millennium Development Goals.
The UIS will publish 2013 reference data, including regional and global averages and totals, in May 2015. These indicators will be calculated according to ISCED 2011.
ISCED 2011 revision
As custodian of the International Standard Classification of Education, the UIS has been conducting training and has produced a manual to help Member States and statistical partners implement the 2011 revision.
ISCED was developed in the 1970’s to serve as a basis for comparing education systems, globally, from pre-primary to the highest levels of tertiary education. It was revised in 1997 and 2011 to better reflect the ways in which education systems have evolved over time. ISCED 2011 includes new categories to cover the expansion of early childhood education and the restructuring of tertiary education.
ISCED 2011 also offers a way to classify recognized qualifications as well as the successful completion of educational programmes. These new statistical units will enable governments to better assess their human resources.
For more information on ISCED 2011, please refer to the classification manual, available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Consult the latest education data in the UIS Data Centre
Users can build custom tables in the UIS Data Centre by taking the following steps:
- Select Education (full dataset)
- Click Customise/Selection/All Dimensions
- Select countries, time and data items
- Click view data to generate the table
Updated: 18/02/2015