Average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in Singapore
Singapore: Average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling was 11.99 years in 2023. ▲ Rising
Average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in Singapore, 1990–2023
Source: UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in years.
Analysis
Singapore recorded 11.99 years for average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in 2023.
The figure is up 7.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in Singapore peaked at 12.08 years in 2021 and was at its lowest, 7.54 years, in 1990.
That places Singapore 42nd out of 192 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 34 years of available data.
Average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in Singapore, year by year
| Year | years | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 7.54 years | — |
| 1991 | 7.77 years | +3.0% |
| 1992 | 8 years | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 8.22 years | +2.9% |
| 1994 | 8.45 years | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 8.68 years | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 8.84 years | +1.8% |
| 1997 | 9 years | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 9.16 years | +1.8% |
| 1999 | 9.32 years | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 9.47 years | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 9.63 years | +1.7% |
| 2002 | 9.79 years | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 9.95 years | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 10.11 years | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 10.27 years | +1.6% |
| 2006 | 10.11 years | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 10.21 years | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 10.49 years | +2.7% |
| 2009 | 10.5 years | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 10.94 years | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 11 years | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 11.02 years | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 11.15 years | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 11.22 years | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 11.37 years | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 11.38 years | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 11.34 years | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 11.56 years | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 11.68 years | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 11.76 years | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 12.08 years | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 11.99 years | -0.7% |
| 2023 | 11.99 years | +0.0% |
Singapore compared with similar countries
- Singapore's 11.99 years is below the median for high income countries, which is 12.39 years, 97% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Singapore's 11.99 years is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 9.43 years, 1.3× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.5 years | 7.54 years | 9.32 years | 10 |
| 2000s | 10.05 years | 9.47 years | 10.5 years | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.27 years | 10.94 years | 11.68 years | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.96 years | 11.76 years | 12.08 years | 4 |
Countries ranked near Singapore
More education data for Singapore
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 13,601 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 336 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 9,429 (1989)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 8,429 (1989)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 163,746 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 238,816 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.4 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0404 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in Singapore?
- Average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling in Singapore was 11.99 years in 2023, according to UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling recorded in Singapore?
- The highest recorded value was 12.08 years in 2021.
- What is the lowest average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling recorded in Singapore?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.54 years in 1990.
- How does Singapore rank for average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling?
- Singapore ranks 42nd out of 192 countries with data for 2023.
- Is average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling rising or falling in Singapore?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Singapore data come from?
- The figures come from UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average years of schooling vs. expected years of schooling. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average number of years (excluding years spent repeating individual grades) adults over 25 years participated in formal education.