A recent analysis of global political landscapes has placed Ghana in seventh position on a list of countries with the most educated politicians. The findings, derived from studies conducted by international researchers, offer fascinating insights into the educational qualifications of legislators across 56 countries.
The rankings are rooted in data from the Global Legislators Database, which examined lawmakers from 2015, 2017, and 2023 in countries with populations exceeding two million. The study highlighted the highest educational qualifications achieved by elected officials, ranging from postgraduate degrees to secondary education.
Leading the list is Ukraine, followed by Poland, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, and South Korea. The United States takes the sixth position, just ahead of Ghana, while Slovenia rounds out the top eight. These findings were recently published by The Economist.
Ghana’s inclusion in this prestigious list is a testament to the nation’s commitment to nurturing highly educated leaders. This achievement aligns with broader trends identified in the study, which noted that globally, 78% of parliamentarians hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and 40% have pursued postgraduate studies.
Interestingly, these figures far exceed the global average education levels, with only 35% of individuals in wealthier nations and 15% in developing countries holding similar qualifications.
Ukraine’s politicians lead the world in academic qualifications, with nearly a quarter holding doctorates during the study period. This trend has deep roots in Ukrainian politics; most of its presidents since 1991, with the exception of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have claimed doctoral titles. Even the younger, more diverse parliament elected in 2019 retained a high proportion of legislators with advanced degrees.
Other high-ranking nations include South Korea, where nearly a third of lawmakers have doctorates, and the United States, where two-thirds have postgraduate degrees.
While some countries boast highly credentialed politicians, others take a different path. For instance, a significant proportion of lawmakers in Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom hold only secondary education qualifications. Notable examples include Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons, who never attended university, and prominent Italian politicians Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini, who dropped out of higher education.
Another study, conducted in 2023 by Chilean researchers, analyzed 6,000 legislators across nearly 30 countries. It revealed intriguing regional differences in educational backgrounds. In North and Latin America, law graduates dominate national legislatures, while Nordic countries favor politicians with expertise in social sciences such as economics.
The UK stands out for its preference for lawmakers with arts and humanities degrees, such as history or classics.
While it may seem logical to assume that highly educated politicians perform better, research suggests otherwise. A 2015 study of U.S. Congress members found no significant correlation between having a college degree and legislative success, longevity in office, or reelection rates. Similarly, a study in Spain concluded that degree-holding mayors were no better at reducing unemployment, balancing budgets, or attracting new residents than their less-educated peers.
Even countries with parliaments dominated by legal professionals do not necessarily experience stronger rule of law. Moreover, globally, candidates with advanced degrees lose elections at roughly the same rate as those with less formal education.
Despite this, it is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals without formal education to enter politics. This shift toward an elite-dominated political landscape could have concerning implications.
Highly educated politicians often have different priorities than the average citizen, creating a disconnect between lawmakers and the general population. This divergence can discourage voter turnout, as citizens struggle to see themselves represented on the ballot.
While progress is being made in making parliaments younger and more gender-inclusive, the trend toward an educational elite may inadvertently alienate voters. As legislatures become less representative of their constituents’ broader demographics, the balance of power and priorities risks further polarization.
Ghana’s position in this ranking underscores its dedication to producing academically accomplished leaders. However, the global conversation around education in politics highlights the importance of balancing qualifications with inclusivity to ensure all voices are heard in the corridors of power.