#Cbrestudy2025

The latest global rankings of the most educated countries, released by CBRE Research and widely reported in international media, have produced some unexpected results: the United States, long perceived as a leader, is now surpassed by several other nations, while Ireland emerges as the world’s top country for higher education attainment. Meanwhile, Thailand, although making strides in education, remains outside the top cohort, fueling discussions on the nation’s future competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven world [thinkstewartville.com][Visual Capitalist].

Thailand faces a challenging path to higher education attainment as global rankings spotlight rising international competition. New research from CBRE Group shows Ireland at the top for tertiary attainment, with more than half of adults aged 25-64 holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Switzerland and Singapore follow, while the United States remains above 40 percent, underscoring a persistent strength in universities and research ecosystems worldwide. For Thai readers, these findings spark questions about how Thailand can strengthen its own higher education system to support innovation and inclusive growth. Data and analysis from major think tanks and research outlets highlight these trends and their implications for policy and practice, including in Thailand’s neighbor and economic partner region.