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

United Kingdom: Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population was 14.4% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
14.4%
Change on year
up 5.8%
World rank
22nd
of 81 countries
All-time high
14.4%
in 2021
All-time low
8.6%
in 2013
Years of data
5
2013–2021

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

0510152013201720212013: 8.6 cumulative2014: 8.8 cumulative2017: 12 cumulative2020: 13.6 cumulative2021: 14.4 cumulative

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom is 14.4%, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.8% on the previous year and up 67.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom peaked at 14.4% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 8.6%, in 2013.

United Kingdom ranks 22nd of 81 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative) in United Kingdom, 2013 to 2021.
Year cumulative Change
2013 8.6%
2014 8.8% +2.4%
2017 12.0% +36.5%
2020 13.6% +13.2%
2021 14.4% +5.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 9.8% 8.6% 12.0% 3
2020s 14.0% 13.6% 14.4% 2

Countries ranked near United Kingdom

  1. 19 United States 15.0% compare
  2. 20 Finland 14.9% compare
  3. 21 Spain 14.9% compare
  4. 23 Denmark 14.0% compare
  5. 24 Slovenia 13.7% compare
  6. 25 Norway 13.6% compare

See the full ranking of 81 places →

More education data for United Kingdom

All data for United Kingdom →

Frequently asked questions

What is educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom?
Educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom was 14.4% in 2021, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population recorded in United Kingdom?
The highest recorded value was 14.4% in 2021.
What is the lowest educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population recorded in United Kingdom?
The lowest recorded value was 8.6% in 2013.
How does United Kingdom rank for educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population?
United Kingdom ranks 22nd out of 81 countries with data for 2021.
Is educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population rising or falling in United Kingdom?
Over the last ten years it is up 67.5%. 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 Master's or equivalent, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population in United Kingdom. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 29 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/educational-attainment-at-least-master-s-or-equivalent-population-25-total-percent/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least Master'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
81 places, 899 data points, 1990–2024
Last refreshed

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