Check the age group and OECD comparison behind Korea’s 71.1% tertiary attainment rate
Key Takeaway
A report released on October 18, 2026 puts tertiary attainment among Koreans aged 25–34 at 71.1%. The figures refer to 2025, when the OECD average for that age group was 48.8%.
What was released on October 18?
The Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) published Issue 16 of their education data series. It examines Korean tertiary education using OECD indicators. The ministry’s press note gives the online release time as 9 a.m. on October 18. Both the note and attached report were checked that day.
The report covers young adults’ tertiary attainment, changes over time and the share of graduates from public institutions. Young-adult attainment refers to 2025, while the share of graduates from public institutions refers to 2022. Check each reference year before treating the figures as a snapshot of the same year.
How does Korea compare with the OECD?
All figures below refer to people aged 25–34 in 2025. They appear on page 4 and in Figure 2 of the report. The data extraction date was October 2, 2026.
| Reference year and population | Country or comparison | Tertiary attainment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025, ages 25–34 | Korea | 71.1% | Issue 16, pages 4–5 |
| 2025, ages 25–34 | Canada | 67.7% | Issue 16, pages 4–5 |
| 2025, ages 25–34 | Japan | 67.5% | Issue 16, pages 4–5 |
| 2025, ages 25–34 | OECD average | 48.8% | Issue 16, pages 4–5 |
The report says Korea has the highest rate among OECD members on this measure. Attainment describes the share of a defined age group that has completed the relevant education levels. This figure alone cannot establish the overall performance of universities or whether individual graduates have found employment.
Which qualifications count as tertiary education?
The report covers qualifications from associate degrees through doctorates. Reading 71.1% as the share holding a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university, or a postgraduate degree, would change its scope. The report discusses tertiary attainment separately from master’s and doctoral attainment.
The age group also needs to stay attached to the figure. The denominator here is the population aged 25–34. To find out how many of this year’s high school graduates entered university, you need a separate indicator, such as a university progression rate, with the relevant population and period.
Can figures differ even when both come from the OECD?
A footnote says values extracted from OECD Data Explorer may differ slightly from those in the published Education at a Glance volume. When comparing numbers, check the extraction date and statistical reference year as well as the publication name.
Education systems and the coverage of qualifications also differ across countries. The report calls for attention to definitions and calculation methods in international comparisons. Mixing other age groups or qualification levels into this table would make comparison on the same terms difficult.
Where can you check the original material?
Open the attached PDF on the ministry’s Policy Briefing release to read the explanation, footnotes and Figure 2 together. The press note also lists the ministry website, the Korean Educational Statistics Service and the Education Data Platform as places to find Issue 16 and earlier issues.
When you next encounter a related figure, start with the reference year and age group in the table title. The official material used here was checked on October 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 71.1% mean the share of students entering university this year?
It is the tertiary attainment rate among people aged 25–34 in 2025. It covers a different population and reference period from the 2026 university progression rate of high school graduates.
Are people with associate degrees included?
The report defines tertiary education as qualifications from associate degrees through doctorates. It does not count only bachelor’s degrees from four-year universities.
What should I check when another article gives a different figure?
Compare the age group, reference year, qualification coverage and data extraction date. The report says OECD Data Explorer figures may differ slightly from those in the published book.
Sources & Verification Date
- Data-driven insights into Korean education, Issue 16 released (Ministry of Education, October 18, 2026) · Verified
- Characteristics of Korean tertiary education through OECD indicators (Ministry of Education and KEDI, 2026 Issue 16) · Verified
All materials have been verified from official announcements and may have changed since verification.