The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) annually publishes the Global Education Digest (GED) in order to present the latest education statistics worldwide. Each year it highlights a special theme, which is analysed based on a subset of relevant indicators drawn from the statistical tables of the report. This year’s edition of the Digest looks at key issues and indicators for secondary education. As the demand for secondary education continues to increase worldwide, there is also interest in the use of benchmarks and comparisons to improve the functioning and capacities of education systems at this level.