A global framework designed to rethink how we measure the
effectiveness of education systems.
Developed by the WISE with technical partner SUMMA, reflecting Qatar Foundation's commitment to advancing education as a global public good.
About the Index
The WISE Global Education Index is a new global framework developed by the WISE with technical partner SUMMA, reflecting Qatar Foundation's commitment to advancing education as a global public good.
The Index goes beyond traditional measures that rank countries purely by outcomes. It is designed to understand the processes that drive real, lasting improvement — recognizing that education systems operate from different starting points, shaped by varying levels of GDP, social development, and structural conditions.
The Index serves as a practical policy tool, aiming to help policymakers, educators, and stakeholders understand where, when, and how to act to achieve better education outcomes.
Why We Launched It
Existing international measures tell us what education systems produce. They reveal performance gaps — but not the mechanisms behind them. Countries at every resource level face the same challenge: understanding which processes to invest in to make the most of what they have. The WISE Global Education Index was created to address this gap. It focuses on the processes that convert inputs into outcomes, with particular attention to the quality of teaching and the conditions that enable it.
The Index is guided by
three objectives
Establish globally applicable measures of education system effectiveness.
Highlight regional and global strengths and gaps — not only in outcomes, but in the processes that drive improvement.
Provide policymakers and stakeholders with actionable insights linked to clear levers for change.
Expert Validation Workshop at WISE 12
The WISE Global Education Index was launched at WISE 12 in November 2025, where it was reviewed and validated by a high-level group of experts drawn from across academia, international development, government, and civil society. Their collective input helped sharpen the Index's focus and strengthen its methodology.
Dignitaries & Chairs
Attendees
Representatives from the Qatar National Planning Council Senior representatives from UNESCO, the OECD, the Brookings Institution, the Institute of International Education, and the World Bank.
The Framework
*The Index is designed as a diagnostic tool, not a ranking. Each indicator is linked to a concrete area where policy action can be taken.
What We Will Publish and When
Get Involved
WISE welcomes the interest of organisations and individuals who wish to learn more or contribute to this work. To help identify meaningful avenues of collaboration, we have established the WISE Global Education Index Taskforce — a structured yet flexible model designed to ensure every partnership is purposeful, well-matched, and genuinely advances education systems worldwide.