China's Hidden Education Gap Threatens Economic Rise

China is famous for its educational achievements. We hear about top-ranked universities and record numbers of graduates. Yet, for its economic level, China has a surprisingly undereducated workforce. This is a major roadblock for future development. Only about 31% of the working-age population has attained an upper secondary education. This is the level of schooling after middle school, like high school or vocational training. That figure is far lower than in other middle-income countries. The focus has been on elite universities. But the bigger problem is the "secondary education deficit." Millions of workers lack the advanced skills needed for a modern economy. Fixing this gap is China's next urgent priority. Without more high school and vocational graduates, moving to higher-value industries will be difficult. The country's celebrated economic story risks stalling.