Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand

New Zealand: Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary was 75.1% in 2020. ▲ Rising

Latest (2020)
75.1%
World rank
48th
of 142 countries
All-time high
75.1%
in 2020
All-time low
46.9%
in 1991
Years of data
9
1991–2020

Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand, 1991–2020

0204060801991200520201991: 46.9 cumulative2001: 71.2 cumulative2006: 72.8 cumulative2011: 68 cumulative2012: 68.8 cumulative2014: 69.5 cumulative2015: 69.7 cumulative2016: 70 cumulative2020: 75.1 cumulative

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand is 75.1%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand peaked at 75.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 46.9%, in 1991.

New Zealand ranks 48th of 142 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand, year by year

Annual values for Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative) in New Zealand, 1991 to 2020.
Year cumulative Change
1991 46.9%
2001 71.2% +51.9%
2006 72.8% +2.2%
2011 68.0% -6.6%
2012 68.8% +1.1%
2014 69.5% +1.1%
2015 69.7% +0.2%
2016 70.0% +0.5%
2020 75.1% +7.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 46.9% 46.9% 46.9% 1
2000s 72.0% 71.2% 72.8% 2
2010s 69.2% 68.0% 70.0% 5
2020s 75.1% 75.1% 75.1% 1

Countries ranked near New Zealand

  1. 45 United Arab Emirates 76.9% compare
  2. 46 Saudi Arabia 76.0% compare
  3. 47 Moldova 75.3% compare
  4. 49 Belgium 74.4% compare
  5. 50 Netherlands 74.1% compare
  6. 51 Romania 72.8% compare

See the full ranking of 142 places →

More education data for New Zealand

All data for New Zealand →

Frequently asked questions

What is educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand?
Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand was 75.1% in 2020, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary recorded in New Zealand?
The highest recorded value was 75.1% in 2020.
What is the lowest educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary recorded in New Zealand?
The lowest recorded value was 46.9% in 1991.
How does New Zealand rank for educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary?
New Zealand ranks 48th out of 142 countries with data for 2020.
Is educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary rising or falling in New Zealand?
Over the last ten years it is up 10.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this New Zealand data come from?
The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary in New Zealand. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-upper-secondary-population-25-total-percent/new-zealand/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed upper secondary, 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
142 places, 2,311 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

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