Ireland vs South Korea: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary

Ireland
51.2%
in 2023
South Korea
49.6%
in 2024
Ireland rank
5th
South Korea rank
7th

Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary over time

  • Ireland
  • South Korea
1020304050197019972024

How they compare

Ireland currently reports 51.2% against 49.6% in South Korea, a difference of 1.6%.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 20 shared years of data; in 1995 it was South Korea ahead.

Ireland ranks 5th and South Korea ranks 7th of 129 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Ireland averaged higher in 1 and South Korea in 3.

Head to head by decade

Decade Ireland South Korea Difference Ahead
1990s 17.4% 20.8% 3.5% South Korea
2000s 28.1% 31.6% 3.5% South Korea
2010s 37.6% 41.8% 4.2% South Korea
2020s 47.4% 47.4% 0.0% Ireland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, Ireland or South Korea?
Ireland, at 51.2% against 49.6% in South Korea as of 2023.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary between Ireland and South Korea?
1.6%, with Ireland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Ireland and South Korea?
20 years are reported by both, from 1995 to 2023.
How do Ireland and South Korea rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary?
Ireland ranks 5th and South Korea ranks 7th of 129 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Ireland vs South Korea: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 28 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-short-cycle-tertiary-population-25-total/ireland/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
129 places, 2,142 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.