The framework used to compile international education statistics and indicators. ISCED 1997 is comprised of standard concepts, definitions and classifications that are used to produce internationally comparable education data. It covers all organized and sustained learning activities for children, youth and adults, including those with special educational needs.
By providing a sound basis for comparisons between different countries’ education systems, ISCED 1997 aids policy-makers and others who are looking to learn from international experience to benchmark their performance.
ISCED 1997 is available in all six official UN languages.
The review and revision of the 1997 version of ISCED was completed in 2011 and takes in account the changes in education policies and structures over the preceding decade; stated in this General Conference Document: 36C/19