The 2025 Possible Education Period (MES) data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) revealed that the time expected to be spent in education in Turkey decreased compared to the previous year. The time an individual of primary school age is likely to spend in education until completing the highest level of education was calculated as 16.8 years.
POSSIBLE EDUCATION TIME DECREASED BY 2.4 PERCENT
According to TÜİK data, the possible duration of education in Turkey decreased by 2.4 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. MES for men decreased by 2.5 percent to 16.3 years, and for women it decreased by 2.4 percent to 17.2 years.
The time an individual of primary school age is likely to spend in education until completing secondary education is calculated as 11.9 years, and 1.6 years in pre-school education.
Possible Training Period; It refers to the total formal education period that an individual who starts his education life is expected to spend in education. The indicator takes into account theoretical education periods as well as actual enrollment numbers in the education system and reflects the expected length of stay in education based on current education participation dynamics.
Türkiye IS ABOVE OECD AVERAGE
According to 2024, the most up-to-date data of OECD countries, the probable duration of education at the primary school-higher education level is 16.6 years on average in the OECD. In Turkey, in the same context, this period was calculated as 17.2 years.
Among OECD countries, the country with the highest MES was Greece with 20.9 years, and the country with the lowest was Colombia with 14.3 years.
BAYBURT AND KARABÜK ARE FIRST
In 2025, the highest possible education period at the provincial level was recorded in Bayburt and Karabük with 18.6 years. These provinces were followed by Istanbul with 18.4 years and Tunceli with 18.3 years.
The province with the lowest MES was Şanlıurfa with 13.8 years. Şanlıurfa was followed by Şırnak with 14.1 years and Muş with 14.3 years.
TUNCELI FEATURED FOR WOMEN AND BAYBURT FOR MEN
In Turkey, the possible education period for women in 2025 was calculated as 17.2 years and for men as 16.3 years.
The highest MES value for women was seen in Tunceli, and for men in Bayburt. For men, Bayburt was followed by Erzincan, Karabük, Istanbul and Bolu. For women, Tunceli was followed by Karabük, Istanbul, Rize and Ankara.
The provinces with the lowest possible education period for men were Şanlıurfa, Ağrı, Şırnak, Muş and Hakkari. For women, the lowest MES values were recorded in Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Muş, Mardin and Ağrı.
GENDER EQUALITY INDEX INCREASED IN FAVOR OF WOMEN
Within the scope of MES, the gender equality index is calculated as the ratio of the possible education period of women to the probable education period of men.
The gender equality index at ISCED levels 1-8, from primary school to higher education, will be 1.05 in 2025. The index, which was 0.97 in 2018, continued its change in favor of women by increasing 0.08 points in 2025.
The provinces with the highest index were Iğdır with 1.13, Tunceli with 1.11, Bartın with 1.10, Çankırı and Kars with 1.09.
The provinces with the lowest gender equality index were Bitlis with 0.97, Şanlıurfa, Siirt and Bayburt with 0.99, Muş, Erzurum and Batman with 1.00.
