We will start our investigation into the role of education in modern societies by reviewing some well-established facts. In the aftermath of the Second World War we observe a generalised rise in school attendance across the globe (see table 1.1). Enrolment rates (as defined by the ratio between the numbers enrolled at a given stage of education over the whole population in the same age cohort) rose in particular in the developing countries, reducing the education gap vis-à-vis the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, as witnessed by the coefficient of variation computed across countries.

Educational achievements rose quickly during the first two decades (the 1960s and the 1970s) but slowed down during the 1980s.