Country profile

Spain

Europe & Central AsiaHigh income48.85M inhabitants

Last updated April 1, 2026

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Composite GEFRI Score

Progressing readiness

Spain shows progressing readiness (85th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

70.17Composite score
Global percentile
85th
Global rank
#27
Regional rank
#19
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
74.67
85th percentileGlobal avg. 59.93
Human Capital
64.17
92nd percentileGlobal avg. 47.03
Innovation
64.55
86th percentileGlobal avg. 42.53
Governance
69.43
82nd percentileGlobal avg. 47.71
Access & Parity
78.02
74th percentileGlobal avg. 43.89

Country profile

Spain ranks among the world’s most future-ready systems. Every GEFRI dimension performs well above global norms, with notable strengths in Human Capital (64, 92nd percentile). This profile reflects sustained investment in innovation, equitable access, and system-wide capability.

Dimension scores cluster tightly, showing the system operates with balanced readiness. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.

A large research workforce accelerates experimentation, technology adoption, and applied innovation. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.

Regionally, Spain leads most clearly in Innovation, sitting well above the peer average.

Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.

Key insights

  • Sits above the global median at the 85th percentile.
  • Places 27th worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 19th within Europe & Central Asia.
  • Scores range from Access & Parity (78.0) to Human Capital (64.2), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Leads regional peers most clearly in Innovation.

Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia

Composite GEFRI score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
11Denmark80.65
52Austria75.95
63Norway75.54
74Finland75.51
85Switzerland75.24
96Germany75.12
107United Kingdom74.89
118Sweden74.71
129France74.55
1510Portugal72.72
1611Estonia72.11
1712Netherlands71.64
1813Czechia71.11
1914Iceland70.99
2015Belgium70.89
2116Poland70.70
2217Lithuania70.65
2318Slovenia70.57
2719Spain70.17
2820Ireland70.12
2921Luxembourg69.43
3022Italy69.35
3123Greece69.25
3524Latvia68.04
3625Cyprus67.99
——LiechtensteinMicrostate67.36
3726Hungary65.67
3827Croatia65.56
——GibraltarMicrostate64.07
——San MarinoMicrostate63.76
4228Bulgaria62.81
4329Moldova62.80
——MonacoMicrostate62.60
4430Serbia62.22
4631Russian Federation61.73
4732Slovak Republic61.70
5033Turkiye60.91
5134Montenegro60.80
5235Kazakhstan60.66
5336Armenia60.51
——Channel IslandsMicrostate60.36
——Isle of ManMicrostate60.36
——Faroe IslandsMicrostate60.33
5537Albania59.95
——AndorraMicrostate59.64
5838Georgia58.46
6239Uzbekistan57.72
6340Belarus57.44
——GreenlandMicrostate56.89
6941Kyrgyz Republic56.42
7442Romania55.12
7743North Macedonia54.09
8444Bosnia and Herzegovina51.59
8545Kosovo51.46
9046UkraineFCS50.96
9847Azerbaijan48.88
10848Turkmenistan41.46
10949Tajikistan41.41