In democracies¹, the driver of change is typically elections; in autocracies, it is typically biology. It is often said that autocratic leaders are therefore less likely to be educated. Leaders' education level has been found to be a positive predictor of, among other things, economic growth². Here's a look at the tenure of around 700 leaders³ sorted by political longevity in the world's autocratic and anocratic countries³, along with a selection from present-day democracies⁵, since 1950 or thereabouts. For each country, the leader who has ruled the longest, contiguously, is shown. The time in office (in years) may be off by a few months in either direction due to rounding. Hover over a bar for more details.

Here's a look at the number of leaders with an advanced degree, e.g. Master's or Doctorate, or equivalent - such as certain law degrees in some countries - for each of the above countries during the same time period. Lack of education is not necessarily indicative of ineptness, though it may be. It may also be the result of extenuating life circumstances or lack of means, as in the case of former British Prime Minister James Callaghan, for example.

Canada and France have had the highest percentage of leaders with graduate degrees. Switzerland has had the most number of presidents with graduate degrees, 21 out of 42, followed by Belgium, with 12 out of 16.

Lowering the bar a bit, here's a look at the number of leaders with at least an academic college degree of some sort.

Here's a look at the number of leaders who have at least completed secondary school. Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. stand out as countries that have yet to have a leader who has completed secondary school.