International Education Indicators - Education Across Levels

Education Across Levels

These indicators address various education-related issues that cut across education levels.

Class Size and Ratio of Students to Teaching Staff: 2004: The U.S. student/teacher ratio at the primary level (15) was lower than the ratio in all but one of the G-8 countries. At the secondary level, student/teacher ratios ranged from 10 in the Russian Federation to 16 in the United States.

Expenditure for Education: 2003: The United States ranked the highest among the G-8 countries in terms of expenditure per student at the combined primary and secondary education levels as well as at the higher education level.

Educational Attainment in the Adult Population: 2004: The Russian Federation had the largest percentage of adults ages 25 to 64 who had completed higher education; Italy had the smallest percentage. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, 36 percent of U.S. males and 42 percent of U.S. females had completed higher education.
Enrollment in Formal Education: 2004: All or almost all 3- and 4-year-old children were enrolled in preprimary or primary education in France and Italy. In the other G-8 countries, at least three-quarters of 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled, with the exception of the United States, with 53 percent.

Youth Population: 1996 and 2006: The United States had the highest growth among the G-8 countries in the population of 5- to 29-year-olds, which increased by 7 percent between 1996 and 2006.

Public School Teachers’ Salaries: 2004: The United States paid the second highest average starting salary to public school teachers at both the primary and upper secondary levels with minimum training. Only Germany reported a higher average starting salary for teachers at these education levels with minimum training.