Literacy rate: 98%

Numbers in tertiary education: 533,152 students

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Attendance at secondary schools is below the European average. As university enrollment is no longer restricted, the number of tertiary students has risen rapidly. The government increased education expenditure in early 2000, pledging to devote at least 4% of GDP in future years and going some way to meet criticisms over the chronic underfunding of the school system.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004