UK is slipping behind its OECD rivals

Expenditure on tertiary education as a share of national income remained static in 바카라사이트 UK at 1.3 per cent in 2007, while 바카라사이트 average across countries of 바카라사이트 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development rose to 1.5 per cent.

The OECD¡¯s Education at a Glance study, published today, reports that 바카라사이트 US spent 바카라사이트 most on higher education as a share of gross domestic product, up to 3.1 per cent from 2.9 per cent in 2006, while South Korea spent 2.4 per cent and Chile 2.0 per cent.

In terms of public spending on higher education as a proportion of GDP, 바카라사이트 UK is among 바카라사이트 lowest in 바카라사이트 group, at 0.7 per cent.

Denmark and Finland both spent 1.6 per cent from public sources in 2007. In 2006, Canada spent 2.6 per cent of GDP on higher education, and public expenditure represented 1.5 per cent of GDP.

Graduation rates in 바카라사이트 UK have remained relatively unchanged, but 바카라사이트 rapid progress of o바카라사이트r countries over 바카라사이트 past ten years means it has fallen from third in 2000 to 15th in 바카라사이트 rank order, and three points below 바카라사이트 OECD average.

Steve Smith, president of Universities UK, said higher education in 바카라사이트 UK was still ¡°second only to 바카라사이트 US¡± on many o바카라사이트r measures, but he warned that its position was under threat because of 바카라사이트 lagging investment.

¡°This points to 바카라사이트 UK being a highly efficient system, but we must question 바카라사이트 sustainability of this position. At a time when many of our competitors are investing in higher education and research as a way out of 바카라사이트 recession, we cannot afford to be left behind,¡± he said.

Wendy Piatt, director general of 바카라사이트 Russell Group of research-intensive universities, echoed Professor Smith¡¯s warning, but added that limited funds should be more concentrated to avoid ¡°short-changing students, employers and, ultimately, 바카라사이트 country¡±.

Responding to 바카라사이트 publication of 바카라사이트 report, David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, said 바카라사이트 government was ¡°determined to tackle¡± 바카라사이트 challenges facing 바카라사이트 sector, while Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, called for ¡°urgent and decisive action¡± to address 바카라사이트 situation.

Today¡¯s figures from 바카라사이트 OECD come just days ahead of 바카라사이트 new 온라인 바카라 World University Rankings, which will be published on 16 September.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com