Canada vs United States of America: Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary

Canada
89.3%
in 2024
United States of America
91.1%
in 2024
Canada rank
12th
United States of America rank
11th

Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary over time

  • Canada
  • United States of America
020406080100198620052024

How they compare

United States of America currently reports 91.1% against 89.3% in Canada, a difference of 1.8%.

Across all 29 years both countries report, United States of America has been ahead every year.

Canada ranks 12th and United States of America ranks 11th of 140 countries.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Canada United States of America Difference Ahead
1990s 72.5% 90.2% 17.7% United States of America
2000s 78.3% 88.4% 10.1% United States of America
2010s 84.7% 88.6% 4.0% United States of America
2020s 88.1% 90.8% 2.6% United States of America

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary, Canada or United States of America?
United States of America, at 91.1% against 89.3% in Canada as of 2024.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary between Canada and United States of America?
1.8%, with United States of America ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Canada and United States of America?
29 years are reported by both, from 1996 to 2024.
How do Canada and United States of America rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary?
Canada ranks 12th and United States of America ranks 11th of 140 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary, population 25+, male (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Canada vs United States of America: Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary. 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-upper-secondary-population-25-male-percent/canada/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary, population 25+, male (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
140 places, 2,299 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed upper secondary education.