Which has higher compulsory education, duration, Belgium or Other small states?

Belgium, at 13 years against 9.5 years in Other small states as of 2025.

How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Other small states?

28 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2025.

Where does this data come from?

Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Compulsory education, duration (years). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Belgium vs Other small states: Compulsory education, duration

Belgium

13 years

in 2025

Other small states

9.5 years

in 2025

Belgium rank

17th

Other small states rank

20th

Compulsory education, duration over time

Belgium
Other small states

How they compare

Belgium currently reports 13 years against 9.5 years in Other small states, a difference of 3.5 years.

That makes Belgium's figure about 1.4 times Other small states's.

Across all 28 years both countries report, Belgium has been ahead every year.

Belgium ranks 17th and Other small states ranks 20th of 197 countries.

Belgium has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Belgium	Other small states	Difference	Ahead
1990s	12 years	7.5 years	4.5 years	Belgium
2000s	12 years	8.75 years	3.25 years	Belgium
2010s	12 years	9.3 years	2.7 years	Belgium
2020s	12.83 years	9.5 years	3.33 years	Belgium

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher compulsory education, duration, Belgium or Other small states?: Belgium, at 13 years against 9.5 years in Other small states as of 2025.
What is the difference in compulsory education, duration between Belgium and Other small states?: 3.5 years, with Belgium ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Other small states?: 28 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2025.
How do Belgium and Other small states rank globally for compulsory education, duration?: Belgium ranks 17th and Other small states ranks 20th of 197 countries.
Where does this data come from?: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Compulsory education, duration (years). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Individual pages

About this data

Indicator: Compulsory education, duration (years)
Unit: years
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 243 places, 6,506 data points, 1975–2025
Last refreshed: 06 August 2026

Duration of compulsory education is the number of years that children are legally obliged to attend school.