A Global View of Education Trends

Inside Higher Ed has posted a summary of findings from the Education at a Glance report on global education trends as identified by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  The formation of OECD dates back to 1960 and its principal objective is to …promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

Among other things, the summary provides an interesting snapshot of the impact of higher education on income levels, for both men and women, with special reference to this time of economic uncertainty. The report also rates, ranks, and compares U.S. higher education attainment rates, by various age groups, with that of other countries. Also noted:

•In 2010, more than 4.1 million students were enrolled in higher education outside their country of citizenship. This figure has increased dramatically, by 99 percent since 2000. In 1975, there were a mere 0.8 million students enrolled in foreign degree programs worldwide.
• Students from Asia make up 52 percent of students studying outside their home country.
• The most popular host countries are the United States (which attracts 17 percent of all international students), the United Kingdom (13 percent), Australia (7 percent), France (6 percent), and Germany (6 percent).

Access to the Inside Higher Ed summary report is available here.