Türkiye's possible education period was calculated as 16.8 years in 2025

Turkish Statistical Institute published the "Possible Education Duration" bulletin for 2025.

Accordingly, the likely time that an individual of primary school starting age in Türkiye will spend in education until completing the highest level of education is calculated as 16.8 years in 2025. 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.

The highest possible education period at the provincial level was in Bayburt and Karabük with 18.6 years. This province was followed by Istanbul with 18.4 years and Tunceli with 18.3 years. In the same period, the province with the lowest possible education period was Şanlıurfa with 13.8 years, followed by Şırnak with 14.1 years and Muş with 14.3 years.

The time an individual of primary school age is likely to spend in education until completing the highest level of education decreased by 2.4 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Possible education period was 16.3 years with a 2.5 percent decrease for men, and 17.2 years with a 2.4 percent decrease for women.

The highest possible education period for women was in Tunceli, and for men in Bayburt. While Bayburt was followed by Erzincan, Karabük, Istanbul and Bolu for men, Tunceli was followed by Karabük, Istanbul, Rize and Ankara for women.

The province with the lowest possible education period for men was Şanlıurfa, followed by Ağrı, Şırnak, Muş and Hakkari, while the provinces with the lowest value for women were Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Muş, Mardin and Ağrı.

The gender equality index, calculated according to the ratio of women to men, was determined as 1.05 in 2025. The index, which was 0.97 in 2018, continued to change in favor of women with an increase of 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 points each. The provinces with the lowest gender equality index were Bitlis with 0.97, Şanlıurfa, Siirt and Bayburt with 0.99 each, and Muş, Erzurum and Batman with 1 point each.

According to the data of 2024, the most current data year of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, the OECD average in the possible education period between primary school and higher education was 16.6 years, while the Turkey average was 17.2 years. Among OECD countries, the country with the highest possible education period was Greece with 20.9 years, and the country with the lowest was recorded as Colombia with 14.3 years.

Probable duration of education refers to the total period of formal education that a person is expected to spend in education.

While the indicator is based on theoretical education periods as well as actual enrollment numbers in the education system, it does not reflect an ideal or uninterrupted education period, but the expected duration of education in line with current education participation dynamics.

The period published by the United Nations for all countries, including Türkiye, is produced as official statistics at the provincial level, which can also guide national policies.