New Zealand
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
New Zealand shows progressing readiness (81st 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.
- Global percentile
- 81st
- Global rank
- #34
- Regional rank
- #6
- Viewing data for
Country profile
New Zealand shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in Governance (91, 97th percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. 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. 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.
Areas with room to grow: School Access and Gender Parity (53, 54th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
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 81st percentile.
- Places 34th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 6th within East Asia & Pacific.
- Scores range from Governance (91.3) to Access & Parity (52.9), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: East Asia & Pacific
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Korea, Rep. | 79.45 |
| 3 | 2 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 77.87 |
| 4 | 3 | Singapore | 77.24 |
| 24 | 4 | Japan | 70.54 |
| 25 | 5 | Australia | 70.53 |
| 34 | 6 | New Zealand | 68.21 |
| — | — | NauruMicrostate | 63.70 |
| — | — | PalauMicrostate | 63.63 |
| — | — | Northern Mariana IslandsMicrostate | 63.05 |
| 48 | 7 | Thailand | 61.33 |
| — | — | American SamoaMicrostate | 61.26 |
| 49 | 8 | Brunei Darussalam | 61.14 |
| — | — | GuamMicrostate | 60.51 |
| 54 | 9 | Indonesia | 60.06 |
| 56 | 10 | Macao SAR, China | 59.92 |
| — | — | New CaledoniaMicrostate | 59.48 |
| — | — | French PolynesiaMicrostate | 58.74 |
| 65 | 11 | Fiji | 57.04 |
| 67 | 12 | Mongolia | 56.70 |
| 68 | 13 | China | 56.42 |
| 70 | 14 | Malaysia | 56.09 |
| 80 | 15 | Philippines | 53.28 |
| — | — | TuvaluFCSMicrostate | 52.99 |
| — | — | SamoaMicrostate | 52.80 |
| 83 | 16 | Viet Nam | 52.16 |
| — | — | TongaMicrostate | 46.68 |
| — | — | Marshall IslandsFCSMicrostate | 46.22 |
| — | — | KiribatiFCSMicrostate | 46.13 |
| 106 | 17 | Timor-LesteFCS | 41.78 |
| — | — | Micronesia, Fed. Sts.FCSMicrostate | 40.44 |
| 113 | 18 | Vanuatu | 39.11 |
| 117 | 19 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 37.93 |
| 125 | 20 | MyanmarFCS | 35.50 |
| 131 | 21 | Cambodia | 32.82 |
| 136 | 22 | Solomon IslandsFCS | 31.58 |
| 138 | 23 | Lao PDR | 30.78 |
| 156 | 24 | Papua New GuineaFCS | 23.87 |