The United States ranks 14th in the world in cognitive skills and educational attainment, while Asian countries and regions dominate the top rankings, according to a report commissioned by Pearson, the multinational education company.
According to the Global Index of Cognitive Skills and Attainment, the United States moved up three places from its 2012 ranking of 17, Finland dropped to 5th place, and the United Kingdom rose to 6th.
Sir Michael Barber, Pearson’s chief education adviser, said the U.S. college-completion rate greatly affected its ranking. The U.S. rate is 50 percent, compared with 90 percent in countries like the United Kingdom. Lifelong-learning skills were another factor.
