Which country has the highest student debt?

The UK has the highest average per-graduate debt (~$55,000) when including maintenance loans, followed by the US (~$37,000). Many European countries have zero or minimal tuition.

Global Average Student Debt

Last updated: February 26, 2026

$22,000

USD

The global average student debt at graduation is approximately $22,000. The US leads at $37,000, the UK at $55,000 (including maintenance loans), while many European countries have near-zero tuition. Global student debt totals over $3 trillion.

Historical Trend

Source: OECD

Why This Average Exists

Student debt data reveals the financial burden of higher education and its impact on graduates' life decisions — from homeownership to family planning.

Factors That Affect Global Average Student Debt

Tuition levels
Government subsidies
Income-based repayment
Cost of living
Program length
Private vs public funding

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.