Archived International Data Library
A collection of over 200 statistical tables that present data from a wide range of sources and examine different facets of education in the United States and other countries, with data from 1985 through 2012. Tables are organized by topic and data year. A guide is available to help navigate the archived Table Library.
Archived International Data Table Library
International Snapshots Library
A collection of charts and tables published between 2011 and 2016 produced primarily using the International Data Explorer (IDE) to showcase “snapshots” of data from the international studies–including PIRLS, TIMSS, TALIS, and PIAAC–and from cross-study comparisons.
For a quick dive into the results from international assessments, view our ready-made Snapshot charts and tables below.
Interested in making your own? These Snapshots are largely produced using the International Data Explorer (IDE), a publicly available web-based data tool that allows users to produce their own tables, charts, maps, and tests of statistical significance. The IDE currently includes data from the PIRLS, TIMSS, PISA, TALIS, and PIAAC studies, with contextual variables such as student demographics, instructional experiences, and school characteristics, allowing users to explore a variety of questions.
Snapshots
Choose a survey or age/grade level from the list below to view Snapshots
Where Can I Find International Comparative Education Data Tables?
Find available data tables and charts related to international assessments and international comparisons in education from a variety of sources. These can be accessed by clicking on the titles that appear below.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Grade 4)
How do U.S. 4th-graders compare to students in other countries in reading?
Visit the PIRLS and ePIRLS 2016 Results page for selected tables and figures on student achievement internationally. Results for 2016 include results for ePIRLS, an assessment of online informational reading of fourth-grade students. Tables on performance related to U.S.-specific variables such as race/ethnicity and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch are also available. (Results from the previous PIRLS cycles can be accessed under "Previous Results.")
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Grades 4 and 8)
How do U.S. 4th- and 8th-graders compare to students in other countries in mathematics and science?
Visit the TIMSS and TIMSS Advanced 2015 Results page for selected tables and figures on student achievement internationally. Results for 2015 include results for TIMSS Advanced, an assessment of advanced mathematics and physics students in their final year of high school. (Results from the previous TIMSS cycles can be accessed under "Previous TIMSS Results.")
Program for International Student Assessment (15-year-olds)
How do U.S. 15-year olds compare to students in other countries in mathematics literacy, science literacy, reading literacy, financial literacy, and collaborative problem solving?
Visit the PISA 2015 Results page to view tables on student achievement internationally. Tables on performance related to U.S.-specific variables such as race/ethnicity and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch are also available. (Results from the previous PISA cycles can be accessed under "Previous PISA Results.")
Teaching and Learning International Survey (Teachers and Principals)
Want to know more about teachers, teaching, and learning environments around the world?
Visit the TALIS 2013 Results page for a collection of international data tables, including tables about teacher and principal characteristics, mentoring in schools, teacher professional development, appraisal and feedback, and teacher job satisfaction.
Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (Adults ages 16 - 65)
How do U.S. adults compare to adults in other countries in literacy, numeracy, and problem solving in technology-rich environments?
Visit the interactive PIAAC Results Portal to generate downloadable tables providing information on adult skill levels by different characteristics, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and employment. For ready-made tables about low-skilled adults, employed adults, and adults with children, visit the Snapshots and Tables page.
NCES's Digest of Education Statistics (All Ages)
Want to know more about school enrollment, teachers, achievement, instructional time, educational attainment, and education expenditure around the world?
Explore Chapter 6 of the most recent Digest of Education Statistics for international data tables. The Digest's primary source is OECD's annual Education at a Glance. Data tables for previous years are available here.
Archived International Data Table Library (All Ages)
The Archived International Data Table Library has a collection of over 200 statistical tables that present data from a wide range of sources and examine different facets of education in the United States and other countries.
Tables are organized by topic and data year. A guide designed to help navigate the Table Library is available here.
International Indicator Reports
With the emergence and growth of the global economy, policymakers and educators have turned to international comparisons to assess how well national systems of education are performing. These comparisons shed light on a host of policy issues, from access to education to equity of resources devoted to educational achievement. They provide policymakers with the opportunity to compare different aspects of countries' education systems, assess systems' performances, and identify potential strategies to improve student achievement and system outputs.
Since the 1960s, the United States has participated actively in international projects that are designed to provide key information about the performance of the U.S. education system compared to the education systems of other countries. To consolidate this information NCES has developed International Indicator Reports, published in alternate years, drawing on the most current information available from these international projects.
G-20 Indicator Report:
The G-20 Indicator Report is a comparison of the U.S. education system with those of the other Group of 20 (G-20) countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The G-20 countries, which are among the most economically developed, represent 85 percent of the world's economy and two-thirds of its population, and are some of the United States' largest economic partners. Topics covered in the report include population and school enrollment, academic performance, contexts for learning, expenditure for education, and educational attainment and income.
G-8 Indicator Reports:
Before the G-20 Indicator Report, previous reports focused on comparing the U.S. education system to the other Group of 8 (G-8) countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom.