20090717

Education level in Sweden Compared with that in the USA

It is of course of interest to know whether or not we have reached the maximum possible education in the West or not. The following data gives an indication of that it might still be possible to push the population to a higher educational level.

According to SCB.se 22% of Swedes, aged 25-64, have at least three years of post-gymnasial education, i.e., the college level. In the US 19% have a college degree, Bachelor, according to the Census bureau for age 25 and over 2008 and 7.5% have a Master degree, 1.5% a Professional degree and 1.3% a Ph.D. Obama's proposed extra 5m college graduates, via the community college system,would turn the figure to 22%.

There has been a significant increase in the numbers of people with at least three years of post-gymnasial education the last ten years from 14% to 22%. The increase depends on an expansion of the education system and on demographics. My guess is that the American level of college graduates have been stable during this time. In the age group 25-34, 31% have more than three years of post-gymnasial education so the total is going to increase as time passes by.

It would be strange if Sweden, which is a more homogenous country than the US, couldn't reach higher numbers which also seems to be the case. However, there is a significant entry of educated foreigners in the US that might offset people mired in poverty.

If a Swede wants to bask a little in his own glory, I can recommend the article: Sverige hyllas för kreativitet på DN.se 2006.

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