How many years of comparable data are there for Portugal and United States of America?

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.

Portugal vs United States of America: Compulsory education, duration

Portugal

12 years

in 2025

United States of America

12 years

in 2025

Portugal rank

33rd

United States of America rank

33rd

Compulsory education, duration over time

Portugal
United States of America

How they compare

Portugal currently reports 12 years against 12 years in United States of America, a difference of 0 years.

Across all 28 years both countries report, United States of America has been ahead every year.

Portugal ranks 33rd and United States of America ranks 33rd of 198 countries.

United States of America has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Portugal	United States of America	Difference	Ahead
1990s	9 years	12 years	3 years	United States of America
2000s	9.3 years	12 years	2.7 years	United States of America
2010s	12 years	12 years	0 years	—
2020s	12 years	12 years	0 years	—

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher compulsory education, duration, Portugal or United States of America?: Portugal, at 12 years against 12 years in United States of America as of 2025.
What is the difference in compulsory education, duration between Portugal and United States of America?: 0 years, with Portugal ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Portugal and United States of America?: 28 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2025.
How do Portugal and United States of America rank globally for compulsory education, duration?: Portugal ranks 33rd and United States of America ranks 33rd of 198 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.

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Portugal vs United States of America: Compulsory education, duration. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 20 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/compulsory-education-duration-years/portugal/united-states/

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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: 20 August 2026

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