1. Canada, 65.0

Canada’s access to basic knowledge index is at an unprecedented 65.0. Its secondary enrollment is 60.7, primary enrollment is 59.1, and adult literacy is 57.5. Canada’s education system is controlled by the different provinces, and the federal government does not regulate education – there is no national, centralised curriculum in Canada, meaning education can vary widely between the various territories. Public education is available for free for every Canadian who meets the residence and age requirements. Pre-elementary education is offered by local authorities, but it’s not compulsory. Elementary education is compulsory and it can either start at age 5 or 6 and until age 16 or 18 depending on the jurisdiction. Secondary education is also compulsory and it takes between four and six years. The country’s comprehensive education system has created one of the most skilled labor forces in the world; Canada’s strong economy and competitive industries can likely be attributed, at least in part, to a strong, functioning system of basic education despite very little hands-on involvement from the national government.