Education can influence where a family chooses to live, what someone decides to study, and what career opportunities there are after graduating. But pitting countries with the best education against each other isn’t as simple as it seems. The location of universities, how well schools perform, and the conditions for studying abroad each tell a different part of the story.
Global Citizen Solutions developed its 2025 Global Education Index through the Global Intelligence Unit (GIU) as a benchmark for comparing countries worth considering for higher education abroad. It assesses countries across five dimensions: Education systems, cost effectiveness, career prospects, innovation and business friendliness, and quality of life. For a quick look at the top spots, the United States came in first, followed by the United Kingdom and Australia.
When families choose a school, there is more to the equation than where a university is located. PISA 2025 measures how students aged 15 perform in maths, reading, science, and computational problem-solving. China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, led all countries in science, and mathematics, and Macao led in computational problem-solving, while Singapore scored highest in reading.
This guide takes a closer look at the countries ranked in the top ten of the 2025 GIU Index and explains what to consider when assessing a school’s performance, options for study, overall costs, what you need for admission, and how you can get residency to start studying abroad.
Top Education Countries: Key Takeaways
Which Countries Have the Best Education?
There isn’t one straightforward answer to which country has the best education. A university student looking for a particular degree may have very different priorities than a family trying to find the right international school for their children. Rankings can help narrow the choices, but a closer look can tell you much more.
In 2025, Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit (GIU) published the Global Education Index, with the United States coming out on top. However, the Index looks beyond education in a vacuum, evaluating the longer-term value of studying in each country in terms of innovation, business friendliness, and career prospects.
When pivoting to school performance, the outlook is different. In the OECD’s PISA 2025 assessment released on 8 September 2026, China outperformed every other participating country and economy in mathematics and computational problem-solving among 15-year-old students. Singapore dropped behind China compared to 2022, but maintained the top ranking for reading.
The findings offer a good point to start comparing learning at school age, although they don’t measure universities or predict how well every child will do in their studies.
For anyone considering a move abroad for better or alternative education, the headline rankings should be treated as just one part of the checklist to make a decision. Tuition fees, course availability, and language requirements all come into the fold for an individual student or family.
The 10 Leading Destinations in the 2025 GIU Education Index
1. United States of America
The United States ranks as the top country overall in the 2025 GIU Education Index, with the best education system. Public schooling is government-funded and compulsory through Grade 12 (17 to 18 years old), depending on the state. Private and international schools are available. There are over 150 universities, according to the GIU.
On the other hand, the United States is not among the cheapest places to study, as reflected in its drop from the top ten on the Higher Education Costs Index, but the Index also highlights its education system, career prospects, and business and innovation as strengths.
The US Student Visa is available to qualifying international students. Other visas are available that allows families to gain residency and enroll their children in US schools.
2. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom came second overall in the 2025 GIU Education Index and second-best in the education system comparison. Public schooling is government-funded until age 16, and private and international schools are available, with pupils in independent schools making up 6.3% of the school population in England.
When analyzing the ranking snapshot, the UK ranked in the top five in most categories on the Index but fell to 18th for quality of life in the GIU report.
Qualified international students can apply for a UK Student Visa. The UK government granted 383,455 sponsored study visas by the year ending June 2026. The Innovator Founder Visa is a residency by investment program for eligible foreign entrepreneurs, and the holder’s children can study in the UK, provided they meet the dependent criteria.
3. Australia
Australia ranks among the top countries for education, according to the 2025 GlU Education Index. The country ranked third overall in the Index, supported by a strong position in the Education System Index and quality of life.
According to the GIU, Australia has fewer universities than the top two countries, with 37 versus 150 in the US and 93 in the UK, but the country ranks higher for quality of life. The Australian government notes that almost 700,000 international students from 192 countries choose Australia, citing home, personal and religious freedom, and a culture that loves the outdoors as appealing factors.
The country offers several immigration options, including a Student Visa and an immigrant program under the National Innovation Visa; however, the latter is invitation-only.
4. Germany
its dual education system, which blends classroom instruction and apprenticeships. In its Education at a Glance 2026 report, the OECD described vocational education and training as an important part of Germany’s education system.
In the 2025 GlU Education Index, Germany ranked fourth, with a particular strength: A number-one ranking for higher education costs. According to DAAD, non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg pay €1,500 per semester for most bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Doctoral studies are exempt.
Non-EU nationals can apply for the Prospective Student Visa, and if a German specialized college or university accepts them, they can apply for a residence permit as a student.
An entrepreneur might also be allowed to apply for an EU residence permit to start a business under Section 21 of the Residence Act if they can show how it benefits the economy and secure financing.
5. Canada
Canada completed the ranking of the top five countries in the 2025 GlU Education Index. For Americans considering the best countries to move to from the USA, Canada ranked ahead of the United States for quality of life and higher education costs. Like the US, public education in Canada is government-funded through Grade 12.
Canada has fewer universities than the countries ranking above it, but there were about 691,000 international students there with valid study permits by the end of 2025, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The government provides public education in Canada to ensure eligible children can access schooling and modern resources across provinces. Regarding international schools in Canada, there is a large network of International Baccalaureate World Schools, most of which are public, with a 2025 IB report counting 383 schools offering IB programs across the country.
The country offers several Canada immigration options, including a study permit for qualified students.
6. France
France combines a long-established higher education system with relatively affordable public university tuition. In the 2025 GIU Education Index, France ranked sixth overall and third for higher education costs.
According to Campus France, non-EU students enrolling in eligible public university programs in the 2026–2027 academic year generally pay €2,902 per year for a bachelor’s degree and €3,950 for a master’s degree.
France offers an alternative to the customary international school model through its International Sections, which combine the French national curriculum with additional language and subject teaching in another language.
International students accepted onto courses lasting longer than three months can apply for the appropriate long-stay student visa, subject to the relevant requirements. Foreign entrepreneurs may also qualify for the France Talent Passport (Business Creator) program.
7. Netherlands
In the 2025 GIU Education Index, the Netherlands ranked relatively well, seventh overall, with a rounded education system that is government-funded until 18 for eligible students, including pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO), senior general secondary education (HAVO), and pre-university education (VWO).
For those considering the best English-speaking countries to live or study in, the Netherlands ranked first for English skills among 123 non-native English-speaking countries assessed in the EF English Proficiency Index. The Netherlands also offers an alternative to fully private international schooling through its Internationally Oriented Primary Education (IGBO) departments.
The country’s appeal extends beyond education itself, ranking first for quality of life in the 2025 GIU Education Index. Global Citizens Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit ranked Amsterdam second among the World’s Most Livable Cities for Expats, with strong scores for personal safety, healthcare, and air quality.
However, it dropped to 19th for higher education costs. According to Study in NL, non-EU/EEA students typically pay €9,000 to €20,000 annually for bachelor’s programs, which is significantly more than in other EU countries on the list.
International students accepted onto an eligible full-time program at a qualifying institution can apply for a student residence permit, with the institution submitting the application.
8. Switzerland
With a score of 73.503, Switzerland ranked eighth in the 2025 GIU Education Index. One of Switzerland’s distinctive features is its vocational education and training system. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs states that two-thirds of young people learn a trade after compulsory schooling.
Alongside ranking first in Innovation and Business Friendliness in the 2025 Global Education Index, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ranked Switzerland first in the 2026 Global Innovation Index for the 16th consecutive year.
Switzerland focuses heavily on research and practical skills to connect education with the wider economy. For example, ETH Zurich collaborates with businesses in the public and private sectors on research projects, giving students opportunities to complete practical internships and thesis projects.
Switzerland’s immigration requirements for students require non-EU/EFTA citizens to apply for the necessary visa. The overall cost of studying and living there can be a major factor, so it is worth comparing the overall cost of living along with course fees before deciding.
9. China
While China ranked ninth in the 2025 GIU Education Index, it ranked first in the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) for 2025. Students in Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang were among the highest performers in science, mathematics, and reading, alongside Singapore. These results apply to the four participating Chinese jurisdictions.
For those considering studying abroad or foreign education for their children, a high PISA score and overall academic performance are only one factor to weigh when analyzing China. Based on its Global Education Index results, the country took a hit for quality of life and career prospects, but redeemed itself on higher education costs, with a relatively low cost of living
Individuals studying long-term for more than 180 days generally need an X1 Visa.
10. Singapore
Singapore ranked tenth in the 2025 GIU Education Index. Its education system is known for strong academic outcomes, with it placing second after China in the OECD’s PISA 2025 assessment, and first in the assessment for reading.
However, when considering moving to a new country for education, test results are only one consideration; teaching methods, costs, and student support also matter. For tuition, the Nanyang Technological University’s 2026 tuition fee schedule shows costs can be quite high for non-ASEAN nationals, starting at S$36,350 (~$28,415) for non-lab-based subjects and S$40,600 (~$31,740) for lab-based subjects for international students outside ASEAN who do not receive the MOE Tuition Grant.
GIU’s Crypto Secure Jurisdictions briefing highlighted Singapore, and its education system supports its position as a digital-asset hub. Universities such as the Nanyang Technological University offer programs like a Master of Science in Blockchain and in other related technical fields that build skills relevant to financial technology and blockchain.
Most international students enrolling in eligible full-time courses need a Student’s Pass to study in Singapore. A Singapore investor program allows the holder’s unmarried children under 21 to study in Singapore.
Discover how to get a Second Residence abroad to gain access to the best education systems.
How Families Can Compare Access to Education and Overall Costs
1. Start with access and eligibility
You will need to find out whether a child of a foreign resident can attend public schools, what paperwork is needed to enroll in the school, and whether schools in the area that you plan to move to have openings.
Also, if your children need classes taught in English or another language that the country doesn’t officially use, research relevant private and international schools, and ask them to outline the process, waiting lists, and openings for students of your child’s age.
When considering college or university, research entrance requirements, and if they differ for an international student. It’s also worth confirming the required levels of English/foreign language proficiency, and whether international students will be charged more than domestic students.
2. Check the full cost of education
Other costs at a private or international school may include registration, uniforms, books, meals, transport, and extracurricular activities. University students may also need to figure out their budget for accommodation, whether in housing or a university-provided dormitory, as well as health insurance if necessary, and costs for obtaining a visa.
Fees and financial support can vary based on nationality, immigration status, institution, course, and level of study. Some universities charge for undergraduate and graduate programs, whereas a doctoral program may be tuition-free, and for EU countries, EU citizenship may allow an individual to study for free; confirm the rules that apply to you.
Another thing to take into account is the cost to live there. If the cost of living is relatively high, families and international students need to budget accordingly, even if school fees are relatively affordable.
3. Consider long-term plans
Can your children move between school stages without changing curriculum or language? If they attend university locally, check whether their qualifications meet the requirements for admission and what fees they’ll pay.
Additionally, if you intend to stay long-term or eventually secure permanent residency or citizenship, consider the country’s economic outlook and whether it offers the career prospects needed for career growth, as well as financial stability and other qualities needed to build a comfortable life there.
Another thing to take into account is the cost to live there. If the cost of living is relatively high, families and international students need to budget accordingly, even if school fees are relatively affordable.
Planning Residence Around Education
Education access is at the heart of choosing a country to live in for many people, and it’s important to know whether children can enroll in public schools as dependants of foreign residents or will need to go the private or international school route.
For children entering early adulthood, look into the qualifications and other things needed to be admitted to a university, how much foreign students are charged, and which type of status allows children to pay domestic-student rates. These details can significantly affect whether a country makes sense for relocation.
You’ll also want to know what would happen to your family’s immigration status if they decided to move to another country. For example, if you plan to live there permanently, understand the rules and process for renewing your residency permit, and whether you qualify to remain there indefinitely or for citizenship by naturalization.
Because each country has different rules on eligibility, it’s wise to research things like how long you’re allowed to spend outside the country and still qualify for permanent residency.
Programs like the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program combine education and citizenship, with options like the University of the West Indies Fund (UWI), which supports the university’s operations while offering a dependent of qualifying applicants the opportunity to study at the institution for one year tuition-free.
For the full picture, families planning for both their child’s education and their immigration status can reduce cost-based risks and disruption to their child’s education. Before choosing a location, especially one where you will rely on public school access, reduced college/university tuition, or an eventual application for permanent residency, check the current rules and guidelines from the appropriate authorities.
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