The information on this page was current at the time it was published. Regulations, trends, statistics, and other information are constantly changing. While we strive to update our Knowledge Base, we strongly suggest you use these pages as a general guide and be sure to verify any regulations, statistics, guidelines, or other information that are important to your efforts.

Brexit Update:
Since the UK officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020, the relationship between the two has evolved and continues to be shaped by the ongoing implementation of the withdrawal agreement.

Key Dates:

• January 31, 2020: UK officially left the EU and entered a transition period that ended on December 31, 2020.

• December 31, 2020: The transition period ended, and the UK fully exited the EU single market and customs union.

• January 1, 2021: The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement came into effect, outlining the post-Brexit relationship between the two entities.

• 2023/2024 Current: The UK and EU are still navigating the ongoing implementation and potential revisions of their post-Brexit relationship.

It's crucial for businesses operating in either the UK or the EU to stay informed about the latest developments and adjust their operations accordingly.

Resources for Further Information:

     UK Government website

     European Commission Brexit website

     Institute for Government Brexit analysis

     BBC News Brexit coverage

Education in the United Kingdom

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) regularly publishes comprehensive reports on education in its member countries, including the UK. Here are the Current UK Education Highlights (based on the latest OECD Education at a Glance reports):

• Tertiary education attainment: In 2022, 58% of 25-34 year-olds in the UK had attained a tertiary-level qualification (bachelor's degree or higher), higher than the OECD average of 47%.

• Gender gap in education: More women than men graduate from tertiary levels in the UK (52% vs. 48% across OECD). However, more men than women enter certain fields like science and technology.

• Early childhood education: Participation in high-quality early childhood education (ECE) remains high in the UK. In 2022, 50% of 2-year-olds were enrolled, rising to 100% for 3 and 4-year-olds.

• International students: The UK continues to attract a large number of international students, with 17% of all tertiary students coming from abroad in 2021. 

• Labor market and gender pay gap: While the UK's gender pay gap at the tertiary level has narrowed compared to some OECD countries, it still exists. In 2022, women with tertiary qualifications earned 84% of what men earned. 

OECD Education  (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

OECD Education at a Glance

OECD Education Attainment