Secondary graduation rate represents the estimated percentage of people who will graduate from secondary education over their lifetime. Data are broken down by gender and shown for upper-secondary and post-secondary, non-tertiary levels of education.

The tertiary graduation rate represents the expected probability of graduating for the first time from tertiary education before the age threshold if current patterns are maintained. The age threshold refers to the upper limit for completing a tertiary degree. Age 30 is used as the upper limit for completing bachelor’s degrees and first-time tertiary education overall. At the master’s and doctoral levels, 35 is considered to be the upper age limit for graduation. International students are excluded. The indicator is expressed as a percentage.

The distribution of graduates by field of study is calculated as the share of graduates from each field over the total of graduates.

Enrolment rates in secondary and tertiary education are expressed as net enrolment rates, which are calculated by dividing the number of students of a particular age enrolled in these levels of education by the size of the population of that age. Generally, figures are based on head counts and do not distinguish between full-time and part-time study. In some OECD countries, part-time education is only partially covered in the reported data.

Enrolment rates in early childhood education and care (ECEC) are expressed as net enrolment rates, which are calculated by dividing the number of students of a particular age group enrolled in ECEC by the size of the population of that age group. Generally, figures are based on head counts and do not distinguish between full-time and part-time enrolment.

Number of students is defined as the number of enrolments at a given level of education. This indicator is measured as an index, base year 2015, divided into primary and primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary levels and all levels.

This indicator shows the number of international tertiary students enrolled as a proportion of the total tertiary students enrolled in the destination (host) country. International students are those who received their prior education in another country and are not residents of their current country of study. When information on international students is not available, foreign students – students who are not citizens of the country in which they study – can be used as a proxy.