Published on an annual basis, the UN Development Programme’s Education Index measures the level of education amongst the adult population of a country – combining metrics such as literacy, years of expected schooling, and number of graduates. The latest edition of the Education Index shows that Commonwealth nations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore are amongst the most well-educated and high-skilled in the world. They boast world-class universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Toronto, and Melbourne.
Yet at the other end of the scale, you can find Commonwealth countries like Mozambique, Pakistan, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, where consistent provision of education remains a challenge. In the middle of the pack are rising stars like Nigeria and India, where the number of university graduates is increasing rapidly. As of 2024, India alone has some 43.3 million students enrolled for higher education, up by nearly 2 million students in just one year – and more than double the 20.5 million students enrolled in 1991.
This educational diversity within the Commonwealth is a profound opportunity. Closer collaboration among these nations can elevate educational standards across the board. For established educational powerhouses, the Commonwealth offers a vast pool of English-speaking students eager to learn – in turn helping to support long-lasting professional and personal connections. For countries and institutions still working to develop best practice, technical cooperation with their Commonwealth peers can help to improve. With 56 different policy environments, the collective wisdom and experience of the Commonwealth education sector is boundless.
Education: A Driver of Trade and Investment
But crucially, education is also crucial to the promotion of commerce, trade, and investment. The education sector itself fosters trade through the exchange of students and scholars, creating a demand for international educational services. Students moving between Commonwealth countries for higher education not only bring in revenue through tuition and living expenses but also strengthen cultural and economic ties. They often become ambassadors for their home countries, promoting business and trade relations upon their return or through their future endeavours.
In the UK alone, the higher education sector receives hundreds of thousands of Commonwealth students a year – with India, Nigeria, and Pakistan as the largest source countries. There is a similar picture in Canada and Australia, with Indians making up the second largest group of international students in both countries.
But beyond these direct benefits, education remains invaluable to building commercial ties. An educated workforce is better suited to navigating international markets, understanding global trade norms, and leveraging new technologies. The mobility of skilled labour, facilitated by shared educational standards and mutual recognition, also directly boosts trade by enabling easier recruitment and business expansion.
Shaping the Workforce of Tomorrow
At last year’s Commonwealth Business Forum, in Samoa, education was high on the agenda. Building on CWEIC’s long history of collaboration with educational institutions, we were delighted to convene two discussions focused on proactively advancing the cause of education in the Commonwealth – ‘Transforming the Workforce’ and ‘Investment in Lifelong Learning’.
In keeping with our promise to lead an action-oriented programme, we welcomed several positive contributions from the wider CWEIC network. Our session on ‘Transforming the Workforce’ recognised the need for the private sector to maximise the potential of the Commonwealth’s youthful workforce, and foster the next generation of entrepreneurs – a particularly salient subject given the fact that 60 percent of Commonwealth citizens are under the age of 30. In order to deliver the necessary opportunity for younger Commonwealth citizens, governments will need to work closely with the private sector, particularly as countries around the world grapple with the impact of emergent technologies, such as AI.
To this end, greater standardisation of qualification frameworks across the Commonwealth would provide a common foundation for cooperation between Commonwealth educators. In the same vein, cross-Commonwealth cooperation to improve education around AI will be necessary to ensure that the workforce of the future is prepared for the ways in which this technology will change how we work.
The Importance of Lifelong Learning
But education does not stop at the classroom. Our plenary session on ‘Investment in Lifelong Learning’ also highlighted the importance of upskilling workers throughout their careers, particularly in regions where access to formal education may not always lead to employment. Partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector are invaluable here – as both businesses and workers take steps to adapt to a fast-changing professional landscape.
This International Education Day, we should reflect on the importance of education to trade, commerce, and investment. For individuals, education can be a ladder out of poverty, opening doors to new opportunities. For society, an educated populace fuels economic growth, fosters innovation, and nurtures a more tolerant, peaceful community.
Nelson Mandela’s words ring true: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In our rapidly evolving world, equipping Commonwealth citizens with the necessary skills isn’t just beneficial; it’s indispensable.
Those within the CWEIC network should reflect on how their work can not only advance but also benefit from the education agenda, ensuring that the Commonwealth’s diverse educational landscape becomes a foundation for shared prosperity. By fostering educational initiatives that support trade, cultural exchange, and economic development, we can ensure the Commonwealth remains a vibrant, interconnected community, with a workforce ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.