i24 reported today on a survey showing that Israel now ranks as the fourth most-educated nation in the world, trailing only Russia, Canada, and Japan. The survey, based on data collected by the The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), measured the percentage of a country’s population holding a college degree.

A survey released by 24/7 Wall Street shows that Israel now ranks as the world’s fourth most educated country. The survey was based on data collected by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) about adults aged 25 to 64 with college degrees in 2012, 24/7 Wall Street said.

Almost half of Israelis (46.4%) hold college degrees…

Following Israel were the United States (43.1%), South Korea (41.7%), Australia (41.3%), the UK (41%), New Zealand (40.6%) and Ireland (39.7%), 24/7 Wall Street’s website reported. Meanwhile only 4% of Chinese hold college degrees.

24/7 Wall Street added an important detail that makes the Israeli achievement more impressive:

Most 18-year old Israelis are subject to at least two years of mandatory military service. Perhaps as a result, country residents tend to complete higher education degrees later in life than in other countries. The compulsory conscription, however, has not lowered educational attainment rates, as 46% of Israeli adults had attained tertiary qualification in 2012. More than $11,500 was spent per student on tertiary education in 2011, lower than most other developed countries.

Israel has been recognized globally for the quality and results of its education. The World Economic Forum (WEF) last week identified Israel’s economy as the third most innovative in the world. The OECD ranked Israel as one of the most highly sought-after investment targets among member nations. Last year, the WEF ranked Israel as one of the leaders in its newly created Human Capital Index.

[Photo: Technion | Israel Institute of Technology / WikiCommons ]