Iran, Islamic Rep.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Fragile/Conflict-Affected Country: This country is classified as experiencing conflict.
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, severe data gaps, rapid disruption, and uneven reporting can distort index values. These scores should be read as a limited signal, not a complete picture of conditions in the country.
Composite GEFRI Score
Infrastructure is a strength, but Governance lags
Iran, Islamic Rep. demonstrates early-stage readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (41st percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions.
- Global percentile
- 41st
- Global rank
- #106
- Regional rank
- #13
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Iran, Islamic Rep. remains in the emerging-readiness range, with progress visible but major gaps still limiting future readiness. Its weakest results are in Governance (22, 11th percentile). These gaps continue to weigh on overall readiness.
Wide gaps between dimensions reveal structural weaknesses that slow coordinated progress. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Adult literacy gaps reduce the diffusion of knowledge needed for future-ready skills.
R&D investment remains modest, affecting long-term innovation potential. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
GEFRI Composite presents a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning. Regionally, School Access and Gender Parity lags peers the most, signalling where investment could have the highest impact.
Key insights
Places 106th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 13th within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan.
Scores range from Infrastructure (88.1) to Governance (21.8), reflecting variation across dimensions.
Trails regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Composite GEFRI Score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1 | Israel | 84.75 |
| 32 | 2 | United Arab Emirates | 80.68 |
| 39 | 3 | Saudi Arabia | 76.67 |
| 42 | 4 | Malta | 75.34 |
| 46 | 5 | Qatar | 72.99 |
| 53 | 6 | Bahrain | 71.18 |
| 62 | 7 | Oman | 69.09 |
| 72 | 8 | Kuwait | 68.04 |
| 76 | 9 | Morocco | 66.91 |
| 77 | 10 | Jordan | 66.65 |
| 82 | 11 | Tunisia | 64.69 |
| 90 | 12 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 60.85 |
| 106 | 13 | Iran, Islamic Rep.FCS | 56.11 |
| 108 | 14 | Algeria | 54.87 |
| 110 | 15 | West Bank and GazaFCS | 53.03 |
| 119 | 16 | Djibouti | 46.86 |
| 122 | 17 | IraqFCS | 44.97 |
| 126 | 18 | LebanonFCS | 43.40 |
| 131 | 19 | LibyaFCS | 42.27 |
| 148 | 20 | Syrian Arab RepublicFCS | 34.76 |
| 163 | 21 | Yemen, Rep.FCS | 28.79 |