country profile

Estonia

Europe & Central AsiaHigh income1.37M population

Last updated May 3, 2026

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Composite GEFRI Score

Progressing readiness

Estonia shows progressing readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (89th 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.

72.97Composite score
Global percentile
89th
Global rank
#20
Regional rank
#12
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
73.92
96th percentileGlobal avg. 54.77
Human Capital
59.42
80th percentileGlobal avg. 47.01
Innovation
63.73
85th percentileGlobal avg. 45.21
Governance
81.36
90th percentileGlobal avg. 47.75
Access & Parity
86.43
80th percentileGlobal avg. 49.65

Country profile

Estonia ranks among the world’s most future-ready systems. Every GEFRI dimension performs well above global norms, with notable strengths in Governance (81, 90th percentile) and Infrastructure (74, 96th percentile). This profile reflects sustained investment in innovation, equitable access, and system-wide capability.

Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation.

A large research workforce accelerates experimentation, technology adoption, and applied innovation. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.

Regionally, Estonia leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.

Note: Most indicators rely on observed data, offering a dependable evidence base for decisions.

Key insights

  • Sits above the global median at the 89th percentile.
  • Places 20th worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 12th within Europe & Central Asia.
  • Scores range from Access & Parity (86.4) to Human Capital (59.4), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.

Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia

Composite GEFRI Score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
11Denmark81.64
52Switzerland77.53
63Sweden77.03
74Finland76.62
85Netherlands76.53
96United Kingdom76.42
107Norway76.28
118Germany76.05
149Austria75.77
1510France75.31
1811Portugal73.13
2012Estonia72.97
2213Ireland71.84
2314Czechia71.83
2415Slovenia71.66
2516Iceland71.49
2617Lithuania71.48
2718Spain71.19
2819Belgium71.17
2920Poland71.13
3021Luxembourg70.54
3122Italy69.96
3223Greece69.84
3324Cyprus69.79
3625Latvia67.91
LiechtensteinMicrostate67.82
3726Hungary66.46
3827Croatia66.37
San MarinoMicrostate64.87
GibraltarMicrostate64.32
4228Moldova63.22
4329Bulgaria63.11
4430Serbia62.62
AndorraMicrostate62.40
MonacoMicrostate62.22
4631Turkiye61.60
4732Slovak Republic61.24
5133Armenia60.62
5234Montenegro60.59
5635Russian Federation59.64
5736Albania59.41
Channel IslandsMicrostate59.40
5837Georgia59.12
Isle of ManMicrostate58.95
5938North Macedonia58.89
Faroe IslandsMicrostate58.79
6039Kazakhstan58.57
6340Uzbekistan57.92
6441Belarus57.87
7042Bosnia and Herzegovina56.85
7143Kyrgyz Republic56.77
GreenlandMicrostate55.24
7944Romania54.47
9045Kosovo51.06
9346UkraineFCS50.98
10047Azerbaijan48.61
10548Turkmenistan46.83
10949Tajikistan43.64