According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2020, 88 percent of females worldwide had primary education, compared to 91 percent of males. By comparison, more females than males had attained tertiary education.
The Global Gender Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria. In 2020, the leading country was Iceland with a score of 0.87.
Educational attainment worldwide in 2020, by gender and level
Characteristic
Female
Male
Primary
88%
91%
Secondary
66%
66%
Tertiary*
41%
36%
0%20%40%60%80%100%120%
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The Global Gender Gap Index, is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress. The Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education- and health-based criteria, and is based on a total of 14 indicators from these categories.
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World Economic Forum. (December 16, 2019). Educational attainment worldwide in 2020, by gender and level [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212278/education-gender-gap-worldwide-by-level/
World Economic Forum. "Educational attainment worldwide in 2020, by gender and level." Chart. December 16, 2019. Statista. Accessed May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212278/education-gender-gap-worldwide-by-level/
World Economic Forum. (2019). Educational attainment worldwide in 2020, by gender and level. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212278/education-gender-gap-worldwide-by-level/
World Economic Forum. "Educational Attainment Worldwide in 2020, by Gender and Level." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Dec 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212278/education-gender-gap-worldwide-by-level/
World Economic Forum, Educational attainment worldwide in 2020, by gender and level Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212278/education-gender-gap-worldwide-by-level/ (last visited May 11, 2025)
Educational attainment worldwide in 2020, by gender and level [Graph], World Economic Forum, December 16, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212278/education-gender-gap-worldwide-by-level/
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