1. High adult literacy and numeracy: Canadian adults averaged scores of 271 in literacy and 271 in numeracy on the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), comfortably above the OECD averages of 259 and 262 respectively.
  2. Strong tertiary attainment: Among Canadians aged 25-34, about 31.3 per cent hold a bachelor’s or equivalent degree — placing Canada in the top third of OECD countries.
  3. University completion improving: For new entrants to bachelor’s programmes, about 80 per cent complete their degree within three years past the expected finish date.
  4. International student draw: Canada’s share of foreign tertiary-students rose from 13.8 per cent in 2018 to 21.2 per cent, showing global demand for Canadian higher education.
  5. Good employment payoff: Unemployment among 25-34-year-olds with tertiary education is low (about 6.0 per cent), showing higher education aligns with labour-market access.
  6. Strong foundational skills across provinces: Provinces like Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec consistently rank among the top performers internationally in reading, science and mathematics assessments.
  7. Robust national monitoring: The Canadian Centre for Education Statistics and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada regularly publish indicators covering graduation rates, expenditures, and student outcomes, signalling system transparency.
  8. Continued K-12 investment: Data show that education expenditures per student, teacher salaries, and graduation-rates are tracked and improving in key cohorts, suggesting the public system remains well supported.

Footnotes

  1. https://cmec.ca/278/CANADA_RANKS_AMONG_TOP_OECD_COUNTRIES_IN_FOUNDATIONAL_SKILLS__RESULTS_FROM_THE_PROGRAMME_FOR_THE_INTERNATIONAL_ASSESSMENT_OF_ADULT_COMPETENCIES_(PIAAC).html?id=1058
  2. https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?primaryCountry=CAN&topic=EO&treshold=10
  3. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/education-at-a-glance-2025_1a3543e2-en/canada_a2529d00-en.html
  4. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/education-at-a-glance-2025_1a3543e2-en/canada_a2529d00-en.html
  5. https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryProfile?primaryCountry=CAN&topic=EO&treshold=10
  6. https://ncee.org/canada/
  7. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250501/dq250501c-eng.htm
  8. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250501/dq250501c-eng.htm