Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom

United Kingdom: Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population was 39.6% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
39.6%
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
6th
of 112 countries
All-time high
39.6%
in 2021
All-time low
28.4%
in 2013
Years of data
5
2013–2021

Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom, 2013–2021

0102030402013201720212013: 28.4 cumulative2014: 29.3 cumulative2017: 33.9 cumulative2020: 37.3 cumulative2021: 39.6 cumulative

Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in cumulative.

Analysis

United Kingdom recorded 39.6% for educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population in 2021. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.2% on the previous year and up 39.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom peaked at 39.6% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 28.4%, in 2013.

That places United Kingdom 6th out of 112 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom, year by year

Annual values for Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative) in United Kingdom, 2013 to 2021.
Year cumulative Change
2013 28.4%
2014 29.3% +3.3%
2017 33.9% +15.6%
2020 37.3% +9.9%
2021 39.6% +6.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 30.5% 28.4% 33.9% 3
2020s 38.4% 37.3% 39.6% 2

Countries ranked near United Kingdom

  1. 3 Luxembourg 41.9% compare
  2. 4 Switzerland 41.6% compare
  3. 5 Lithuania 41.3% compare
  4. 7 United States 39.1% compare
  5. 8 Israel 38.3% compare
  6. 9 Belgium 37.4% compare

See the full ranking of 112 places →

More education data for United Kingdom

All data for United Kingdom →

Frequently asked questions

What is educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom?
Educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom was 39.6% in 2021, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population recorded in United Kingdom?
The highest recorded value was 39.6% in 2021.
What is the lowest educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population recorded in United Kingdom?
The lowest recorded value was 28.4% in 2013.
How does United Kingdom rank for educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population?
United Kingdom ranks 6th out of 112 countries with data for 2021.
Is educational attainment, at least bachelor's or equivalent, population rising or falling in United Kingdom?
Over the last ten years it is up 39.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/educational-attainment-at-least-bachelor-s-or-equivalent-population-25-total-percent/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least Bachelor's or equivalent, 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
112 places, 1,214 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.