Ghana is ranked seventh in a global list of countries with the most educated politicians, according to a report analyzing the educational backgrounds of lawmakers.
This ranking is based on two studies conducted by researchers from global universities, using data from 2015, 2017, and 2023.
The analysis, drawn from a Global Legislators Database, focused on 56 countries with populations exceeding two million.
It examined the highest qualifications of elected lawmakers between 2015 and 2017, categorizing their education levels from PhDs and other postgraduate degrees to those with less education than a postgraduate.
Ukraine tops the list, followed by Poland in second place and the Czech Republic in third. Taiwan is ranked fourth, with South Korea fifth, and the United States sixth. Ghana holds the seventh position, with Slovenia ranked eighth.
The findings, published by The Economist, provide insights into the educational qualifications of national parliamentarians. Political scientists have long tracked the age and gender demographics of elected officials but have found it more challenging to compare other characteristics like education.
However, recent datasets have made it easier to analyze the educational backgrounds of politicians across various countries.
The first study, involving researchers from six universities, collected data on nearly 20,000 parliamentarians from 97 countries between 2015 and 2017. The study revealed that 78% of parliamentarians held at least a bachelor’s degree, with 40% possessing postgraduate degrees.
These figures far exceed the average education levels among the general population, with wealthier nations averaging 35% education, and poorer countries at 15%.
Ukraine has the highest proportion of legislators with postgraduate degrees, including a significant number holding doctorates.
This trend is supported by Ukraine’s presidential history, where all presidents except Volodymyr Zelenskyy have claimed doctoral degrees. South Korea also stands out, with nearly a third of its legislators holding doctorates, and the United States follows closely with over two-thirds of its lawmakers holding postgraduate degrees.
In contrast, some countries like Italy, Norway, and the UK have a larger share of parliamentarians with only secondary education.
For instance, Sir Lindsay Hoyle became Speaker of the UK House of Commons without a university degree, while Italian politicians like Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini did not complete their university education.
The second study, published in 2023, focused on 6,000 legislators from nearly 30 countries and highlighted regional trends.
In North and Latin America, most legislators hold law degrees, while Nordic countries tend to elect those with backgrounds in social sciences like economics. The UK stands out for electing many lawmakers with degrees in arts and humanities.
However, studies on whether highly educated politicians perform better than their peers have shown mixed results. A 2015 study on the U.S. Congress found no significant differences in the performance of degree holders versus those without.
Similarly, a study in Spain found no notable improvement in mayors’ performance in areas like unemployment reduction or city development, despite having degrees.
Moreover, research has shown that the most educated politicians do not necessarily have a better track record in elections, often losing at the same rate as less formally educated candidates.
Still, obtaining a degree has become a significant barrier to entry for aspiring politicians, as it has become increasingly difficult for individuals without degrees to secure a place on the ballot.
While national legislatures have become younger and slightly more gender-balanced, they are also becoming more elite, raising concerns that the growing educational divide could disconnect elected officials from the populations they represent.
This shift might have consequences, as those with higher education often have different priorities than the general electorate, potentially affecting voter engagement and representation.