Revealed: Which Nations Give Teachers The Best Salaries?

Globally, teachers have been protesting for decades, campaigning for improved pay, with teachers even in some of the most well-developed countries living below the poverty line.

To see just how bad the situation is, Teaching Abroad Direct created the Teaching Salary Index, researching the average teaching salary in the top 100 developed economies and benchmarking that as a percentage of gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity, or GDP (PPP). 

The highest paying countries found in the study were Côte d’Ivoire, where teachers earn 62% above the cost of goods and services and China where teachers earn 44%. While the 3rd “best” paying country, Morocco, pays teachers 13% above the cost of goods and services. 

Somewhat shockingly, only 2 other countries were found to pay teachers above the average cost of living, Switzerland and Germany, with Turkmenistan paying teachers on par with the costs of living.

All the way down in 19th, the study found that the US was one of the highest paying in terms of salary figures. However, the numbers are still way below the costs of living; meaning teachers in the earn close to $9,000 below than the average costs of living in the US. 

Similarly, teachers in the UK earn 18% below the cost of living, taking home an average of $37,395 per year but facing an average annual cost of living of $8,247 more than they make.

The table below shows the 20 countries with the highest teacher salaries compared to the costs of living (plus the UK):

Andrew Lynch, Director of Teaching Abroad Direct, comments:

“Based on the results of our study it is not really a surprise to have seen so many teachers strikes throughout the past couple of years.”

“From the recent State and regional strikes in the US and Canada to strikes across Europe and elsewhere, teachers are crying out for their pay to reflect the amazing work they do and match their costs of living.”

“As costs continue to rise across the globe and teachers budgets get cut, there is a real need for governments to start listening to teachers; in the hope of decreasing the levels of teacher turnover and providing children with the best opportunities to succeed in their education and after their school years.”