The social status of teachers differs considerably from one country to another, with China being the country where teachers are respected most and have a good social status. Generally the qualifications of teachers and their comparative salaries, unfortunately, do not match the social status of teachers in society.
Poll shows considerable differences
Groundbreaking research commissioned in 2018 by the Varkey Foundation, polling 35,000 respondents and 5,500 teachers in 35 countries, found considerable differences in the social status of teachers in those nations and that salary and status do not correlate.
It showed that, with the exception of six countries, that teacher pay was lower than what is considered a fair salary. The public also underestimates the hours that teachers work.
“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.”
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China’s teachers have a high status, but low salaries by international standards. Switzerland’s teachers have the highest salaries globally, but of the 35 countries rated only 14th on social status.
Comparing professions, the survey ranked school principals 4th behind doctors, lawyers and engineers, while high school teachers ranked 10th on a scale of 15.
The qualifications of teachers and their status, and the level of respect for teachers and discipline in cultures, also do not correlate. The social status of teachers in Finland and Japan is lower than the troubled USA. Finland has a widely admired education system with highly qualified teachers, while Japan is renowned for its culture of respect.
Teacher status rank in 35 countries
The status of teachers ranked as follows:
- 1. China,
- 2. Malaysia,
- 3. Taiwan,
- 4. Russia,
- 5. Indonesia,
- 6. S-Korea,
- 7. Turkey,
- 8. India,
- 9. New Zealand,
- 10. Singapore,
- 11. Canada,
- 12. Greece,
- 13. UK,
- 14. Switzerland,
- 15. Panama,
- 16. USA,
- 17. Finland,
- 18. Japan,
- 19. Egypt,
- 20. France,
- 21. Germany,
- 22. Chile,
- 23. Portugal,
- 24. Netherlands,
- 25. Peru,
- 26. Colombia,
- 27. Spain,
- 28. Uganda,
- 29. Hungary,
- 30. Czech,
- 31. Argentina,
- 32. Ghana,
- 33. Italy,
- 34. Israel,
- 35. Brazil.
