The UIS produces time series based on enrolment data reported by education ministries or national statistical offices and UN population estimates. These data are gathered through questionnaires sent annually to countries which are typically completed by ministries of education and/or national statistical offices. Countries are asked to report data according to the levels of education defined in ISCED97 to ensure international comparability of resulting indicators.

The data received by UIS are validated using electronic error detection systems that check for arithmetic errors & inconsistencies and trend analysis for implausible results. Queries are taken up with the country representatives reporting the data so that corrections can be made (of errors) or explanations given (of implausible but correct results).

In addition, countries also have an opportunity to see and comment on the main indicators the UIS produces in an annual “country review” of indicators.

National data derived from administrative records are not necessarily based on the same classification over time and may not be comparable with data for other countries, unless exactly the same classification is used. Enrolments data compiled by UNESO are then adjusted to be consistent with the ICSCED1997 and are therefore comparable across countries.

The UIS also, if necessary, adjusts nationally reported data in order to take account either of under-reporting (i.e. data gaps) or over-reporting (i.e. inclusion of education programmes not covered by its surveys) before calculating indicators. In such cases, the results – if published – will normally be designated as UIS estimates (denoted by ** in UIS publications).

Project Countries

Barbados

Comparisons

Country Indicators

Differences

Why is there a difference?

International

Country