Korea, Rep.
Last updated October 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Access & Parity and Infrastructure are clear system strengths
Korea, Rep. shows advanced readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (97th percentile worldwide). Most dimensions perform above global norms, and the system has clear capacity to scale future-oriented initiatives.
- Global percentile
- 97th
- Global rank
- #6
- Regional rank
- #1
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Korea, Rep. ranks among the stronger performers in GEFRI, but still falls short of the target-readiness threshold. Its strongest results are in Infrastructure (92, 93rd percentile), Innovation (91, 100th percentile), GEFRI Composite (88, 97th percentile) and Human Capital (86, 90th percentile). All reported dimension scores sit above global norms.
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.
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, Korea, Rep. leads most clearly in Innovation, sitting well above the peer average.
Most indicators are observed rather than imputed, so estimation uncertainty is limited.
Key insights
Ranks in the 97th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
Places 6th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 1st within East Asia & Pacific.
Scores range from Access & Parity (95.3) to Governance (74.5), reflecting variation across dimensions.
Leads regional peers most clearly in Innovation.
Regional peers: East Asia & Pacific
Composite GEFRI Score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1 | Korea, Rep. | 87.81 |
| 8 | 2 | Australia | 87.35 |
| 9 | 3 | Singapore | 87.32 |
| 12 | 4 | Japan | 86.36 |
| 14 | 5 | New Zealand | 86.16 |
| 17 | 6 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 84.76 |
| — | — | PalauMicrostate | 73.70 |
| — | — | NauruMicrostate | 72.29 |
| 49 | 7 | Thailand | 71.84 |
| 52 | 8 | Brunei Darussalam | 71.04 |
| — | — | GuamMicrostate | 70.25 |
| 58 | 9 | China | 69.90 |
| — | — | American SamoaMicrostate | 69.54 |
| 62 | 10 | Malaysia | 69.47 |
| — | — | Northern Mariana IslandsMicrostate | 69.09 |
| 64 | 11 | Mongolia | 68.89 |
| — | — | New CaledoniaMicrostate | 68.87 |
| 67 | 12 | Fiji | 68.59 |
| 69 | 13 | Macao SAR, China | 68.46 |
| — | — | French PolynesiaMicrostate | 67.52 |
| 74 | 14 | Viet Nam | 67.48 |
| 75 | 15 | Indonesia | 67.40 |
| — | — | TongaMicrostate | 61.97 |
| — | — | SamoaMicrostate | 61.50 |
| 89 | 16 | Philippines | 61.14 |
| — | — | TuvaluFCSMicrostate | 59.55 |
| — | — | Marshall IslandsFCSMicrostate | 55.97 |
| 109 | 17 | Vanuatu | 54.91 |
| — | — | KiribatiFCSMicrostate | 50.18 |
| 117 | 18 | Timor-LesteFCS | 48.26 |
| — | — | Micronesia, Fed. Sts.FCSMicrostate | 47.16 |
| 124 | 19 | Cambodia | 44.55 |
| 125 | 20 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 44.05 |
| 135 | 21 | Solomon IslandsFCS | 40.74 |
| 142 | 22 | MyanmarFCS | 37.12 |
| 143 | 23 | Lao PDR | 36.74 |
| 156 | 24 | Papua New GuineaFCS | 32.24 |