Japan
Last updated July 15, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Access & Parity is strong, but Human Capital lags
Japan shows advanced readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (94th percentile worldwide). Most dimensions perform above global norms, and the system has clear capacity to scale future-oriented initiatives.
- Global percentile
- 94th
- Global rank
- #12
- Regional rank
- #4
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Japan ranks among the stronger performers in GEFRI, but still falls short of the target-readiness threshold. Its strongest results are in School Access and Gender Parity (94, 94th percentile), Governance (83, 92nd percentile), Innovation (77, 98th percentile) and GEFRI Composite (76, 94th percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions show where readiness conditions are less aligned. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation.
Strong R&D funding and a sizable research workforce keep the innovation pipeline active, supporting the system’s capacity to adapt. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
Regionally, Japan leads most clearly in School Access and Gender Parity, sitting well above the peer average.
Areas with room to grow: Human Capital (55, 66th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Some indicators are imputed, so the profile should be read with moderate caution.
Key insights
Ranks in the 94th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
Places 12th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 4th within East Asia & Pacific.
Scores range from Access & Parity (93.8) to Human Capital (55.3), reflecting variation across dimensions.
Leads regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: East Asia & Pacific
Composite GEFRI Score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Korea, Rep. | 77.90 |
| 3 | 2 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 77.59 |
| 4 | 3 | Singapore | 77.58 |
| 12 | 4 | Japan | 76.03 |
| 14 | 5 | Australia | 75.84 |
| 20 | 6 | New Zealand | 72.96 |
| 46 | 7 | Brunei Darussalam | 61.47 |
| — | — | NauruMicrostate | 60.97 |
| — | — | Northern Mariana IslandsMicrostate | 60.89 |
| 49 | 8 | Fiji | 60.57 |
| 50 | 9 | Thailand | 60.56 |
| — | — | GuamMicrostate | 59.78 |
| — | — | New CaledoniaMicrostate | 59.45 |
| — | — | PalauMicrostate | 59.12 |
| — | — | American SamoaMicrostate | 58.64 |
| 61 | 10 | Macao SAR, China | 58.41 |
| — | — | French PolynesiaMicrostate | 57.22 |
| 68 | 11 | Indonesia | 56.89 |
| 69 | 12 | Mongolia | 56.89 |
| 71 | 13 | Malaysia | 56.62 |
| 73 | 14 | Viet Nam | 55.90 |
| 75 | 15 | China | 55.59 |
| 87 | 16 | Philippines | 51.84 |
| — | — | SamoaMicrostate | 51.51 |
| — | — | TuvaluFCSMicrostate | 51.41 |
| — | — | TongaMicrostate | 48.23 |
| — | — | KiribatiFCSMicrostate | 46.37 |
| — | — | Marshall IslandsFCSMicrostate | 45.13 |
| — | — | Micronesia, Fed. Sts.FCSMicrostate | 41.97 |
| 112 | 17 | Vanuatu | 40.83 |
| 113 | 18 | Timor-LesteFCS | 40.80 |
| 115 | 19 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 39.28 |
| 123 | 20 | Cambodia | 35.88 |
| 131 | 21 | Solomon IslandsFCS | 33.48 |
| 134 | 22 | Lao PDR | 32.64 |
| 147 | 23 | Papua New GuineaFCS | 27.72 |
| 151 | 24 | MyanmarFCS | 26.22 |