The French education system is highly centralized, publicly funded, and well-regarded globally. Education is compulsory between the ages of 3 and 16.
* **Literacy Rate:** ~99% for both men and women. * **Baccalauréat Success Rate:** Typically hovers around 85–90% annually, representing a high rate of secondary school completion. * **Higher Education:** France is famous for its public university system and its elite *Grandes Écoles* (such as École Polytechnique, HEC Paris, and Sciences Po). * **Global Rankings:** Several French institutions consistently rank in the global top 50, notably **Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)**, **Sorbonne University**, and **Université Paris-Saclay** (renowned especially for mathematics and physics). * **Cost:** Public universities charge very low tuition fees for domestic and EU students (often under €300 per year for a bachelor's degree), making higher education highly accessible.
