United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland vs United States of America: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
48.7%
in 2021
United States of America
49.8%
in 2024
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
9th
United States of America rank
6th

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

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • United States of America
1020304050197019972024

How they compare

United States of America currently reports 49.8% against 48.7% in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 1.1%.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 9 shared years of data; in 2009 it was United States of America ahead.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 9th and United States of America ranks 6th of 129 countries.

United States of America has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America Difference Ahead
2000s 31.5% 38.6% 7.1% United States of America
2010s 37.4% 41.3% 3.9% United States of America
2020s 48.0% 48.0% 0.0% United States of America

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or United States of America?
United States of America, at 49.8% against 48.7% in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2024.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary between United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America?
1.1%, with United States of America ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America?
9 years are reported by both, from 2009 to 2021.
How do United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 9th and United States of America ranks 6th 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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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland vs United States of America: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-short-cycle-tertiary-population-25-total/united-kingdom/united-states/

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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.