Ireland has claimed the top spot globally for education attainment, with over 52.4% of people aged 25–64 holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to recent data from CBRE’s 2025 Global Tech Talent Guidebook. This puts Ireland ahead of other high-achieving nations, including the UK, the US, and Singapore.
Ireland Leads the World in Higher Education
Ireland education attainment rate surpasses many leading nations, cementing Ireland’s status as an emerging intellectual and technological powerhouse.
The report highlights that the Dublin market now boasts the eighth-largest tech talent pool in Europe, home to between 100,000 to 150,000 tech professionals. This positions Dublin ahead of notable US cities like Philadelphia and Austin, and ahead of major UK cities such as Birmingham and Manchester.
“Education is a forward-looking metric and a key component of a market’s tech talent outlook,” the report noted.
CBRE’s findings indicate that Ireland’s education attainment is a key driver in building strong tech economies, making Ireland a significant hub for future investment and innovation.
While Ireland takes the lead in education attainment, other countries also performed strongly:
| Country | % with Bachelor’s or Higher | Approximate Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 52.4% | 1.8 million |
| United Kingdom | 43.6% | 19.1 million |
| United States | 40.3% | 78.2 million |
The US, however, topped the chart for the number of world-leading universities, with 186 institutions ranked in the global top 1,000. The UK followed with 67, while Ireland had six—still more than Singapore, despite the latter being dubbed a tech powerhouse.
Reacting to the report, Foyle MP Colum Eastwood shared his views on social media: “Interesting data from CBRE showing the proportion of people achieving higher levels of education from every country in the world. A degree is far from the be-all and end-all of education, but Ireland punches high on the chart — a good indicator of the opportunity that building a new Ireland would have for people here.”
The data adds further weight to the idea that Ireland education attainment is not just a statistic but a meaningful step toward long-term national development.
CBRE underscores that education is not just a personal achievement but a strategic economic indicator. A well-educated population directly supports growth in tech industries, innovation, and foreign investment.
In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, countries with a high level of education attainment are better positioned to attract and retain global talent.
What This Means for Employers and Policy Makers
- Tech companies are likely to prioritise locations like Dublin for talent acquisition.
- Policy makers may use this data to further invest in education and innovation ecosystems.
- Students and young professionals are encouraged to leverage Ireland’s strong academic reputation and tech opportunities.
With an already impressive Ireland education attainment rate and a tech workforce growing steadily, Ireland is set to continue its rise as a global leader in education and innovation.
As global dynamics shift and the demand for skilled professionals intensifies, Ireland’s commitment to education will likely pay dividends for generations to come.
