5 Most Educated Religions in the World

3. Buddhism

Average Year of Formal Schooling: 7.9

Gender Gap: 1.1 years

Buddhism as a religion is based on the philosophy of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Gautama Buddha, the enlightened one. Buddhists believe that human life is a form of suffering and that spirituality, meditation, physical labor, and Good Behavior are ways to achieve enlightenment. Buddhism is widely practiced in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Sri Lanka, where approximately 92.5%, 91.7%, 64.7%, and 70.2% of the respective populations identify as Buddhist. These nations also boast high literacy rates. According to the World Bank, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Sri Lanka have literacy rates of 94%, 84%, 88%, and 92%, respectively, among individuals aged 15 and above.