Scotland is the most highly educated country in Europe and among the best-educated in the world, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The study suggests that almost 40% of Scottish people aged 16 to 64 have an NVQ level 4 and above, while the UK as a whole falls below two-fifths with Romania and Italy at the bottom of the league.

Edinburgh University students pictured graduating. Credit: PA

Scotland is also up with Luxembourg and Finland among the most well-educated in the world in terms of tertiary education attainment.

"In terms of the proportion of the population going into higher and tertiary education, Scotland actually has just about the highest in the world," said ONS chief economic adviser Joe Grice.