The latest international comparative education data was recently released by Statistics Canada. As with previous editions, Canada fares well when it comes to the percentage of 25 to 64 year olds with tertiary education (college and university) credentials – 51 per cent compared to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average of 33 per cent.
Much of that difference is attributable to the 58 per cent attainment rate in Ontario. Ontario’s 28 per cent rate of college attainment contributes to Canada’s comparatively high rate of college-level attainment – 25 per cent against the OECD average of 10 per cent. Considering university education only, OECD average university attainment rates amongst 25 to 64 year olds is four percentage points lower than Canada and seven points less than Ontario. Amongst 25 to 34 year olds, the gap falls to one and four percentage points respectively.
Still, the average rate of growth in tertiary credentials across the OECD has been higher than the rate in Canada. We will have to continue our investment in higher education to ensure we remain competitive.
Statistics Canada, Education Indicators in Canada: An International Perspective 2013