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The 5 most educated countries in the world

The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development recently released its Education at a Glance 2012 report. Here are the five most educated countries in the world.

2. Canada

Post-secondary education: 51 percent of the population
Annual growth rate for this group: 2.4 percent

Canada is the second most educated country in the world, and the most educated out of OECD countries. More than half of all Canadians between the ages of 25 and 64 have a college degree. Additionally, Canada spends $20,932 dollars per post-secondary student each year. Only Switzerland and the United States spend more.

And individual Canadians pay nearly as much themselves on their higher education: The total direct cost, on average, is $18,094.

Women with a college or university degree in Canada outpace lesser-educated women in pay by 55 percent there, which is the largest gap in pay rates between education levels in OECD countries. And though Canada is a global leader in higher education, according to a country-specific OECD economic survey, rates of participation in education will need to increase as its population ages if it is to hold onto its top spot and remain competitive in the global labor market.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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