The most educated presidents in the world have a vantage position from which to look at the world. They have gained valuable insights in economics, international politics, and administration. They therefore have much to offer to their countries in terms of the development of policies that will improve the lives of their people.
A strong academic record is not necessary to become president; but at times when a country is in dire economic straits, a person of proven academics can help put the people’s minds at ease.
Across the world, these presidents have certainly calmed the nerves of their people with their knowledge of academics.
Top 10 Most Educated Presidents In The World
1. William Ruto
President of: Kenya
William Ruto is the president of Kenya; a position he has held since September 2022. He was born in 1966 in Sambut village, Kamagut, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. He attended Kamagut Primary School, and then Kerotet Primary School. He also attended Wareng Secondary School, and Kapsabet High School.
He then studied Botany and Zoology at the University of Nairobi, in Kenya. He went on to complete an MSc in Plant Ecology the same university, and then a Ph.D. in 2018.
He has written about Plant Species Diversity and Composition; as well as the need to conserve out forests to prevent further extinction of species.
2. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson
President of: Iceland
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson is the President of Iceland; a position he has held since 2016. He was born in 1968, to a teacher and sports instructor. He attended Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík (MR), a junior college in central Reykjavík. After that he went to England to study history and political science at the University of Warwick in England.
He then returned to Iceland to obtain a Master of Arts in history from the University of Iceland, before going back to the UK to complete a Master’s degree in history at St Antony’s College at the University of Oxford. He then obtained a PhD in history from Queen Mary, University of London.
He has worked as a lecturer at the University of Iceland, Bifröst University and University of London. His last academic position was senior lecturer in history at the University of Iceland. He has written so many works on the history of Iceland, and the preservation of its culture.
3. Michael Daniel Higgins
President of: Ireland
Michael Daniel Higgins is the president of Ireland; a position he has held since 2011. He was born 18 April 1941, in Limerick, Ireland but went to live with his uncle in County Clair. He attended the University College Galway (UCG), where he served as vice-auditor of the college’s Literary and Debating Society.
He also attended the American Indiana University, where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in Sociology. He worked as a poet, sociologist, and broadcaster.
His last position before politics was a statutory lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Sociology at UCG. He also worked as a visiting professor at Southern Illinois University.
He then left academics to pursue politics. He was in the senate, before becoming president.
4. Olaf Scholz
President of: Germany
Olaf Scholz is the German chancellor; a position he has held since 2021. He was born in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony, on 14 June 1958. He attended Bekassinenau elementary school, and Großlohering elementary school in Großlohe.
As soon as he graduated from high school in 1977, he began studying law at the University of Hamburg in 1978. After he finished the course, he started practicing law; specializing in labour and employment law.
He joined the Social Democratic Party at the age of 17. Olaf Scholz has written extensively on the ills of capitalism and why Socialism is the better way to build a society. Before he turned 40 years old he was already a popular figure, whose articles were widely published. He was one of the leaders of the Young Socialist Congress, and he has held many different positions throughout his career.
5. Allasane Ouattara
President of: Ivory Coast
Allasane Ouattara is the president of Ivory Coast; a position he has held since 2010. He is one of the most educated presidents in the world; and his capacity is proven by the fact that he has excelled in so many different positions before ascending to the presidency.
Allasane Ouattara was born in Dimbokro in French West Africa, on 1 January 1942. He attended Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. and then he obtained his master’s degree in economics, and his Ph.D. in economics also at the University of Pennsylvania.
He has backed his knowledge of economics with experience at several financial institutions including the IMF, and Banque Centrale des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (West African Central Bank).
6. Sahle- Work Zewde
President of: Ethiopia
Work Zewde- Sahle is the current and first woman president of Ethiopia. She has been president since October 2018. She was born in Addis Ababa in the Ethiopian Empire, and she attended local government schools in her region.
She then went to France to study natural science at the University of Montpelier. After her studies she started her career with the Ethiopian government as a diplomat; she served as ambassador to Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Gambia, and Guinea.
It was then that her talent was spotted and she was appointed to the United Nations where she served as UN special envoy for peace building in Central African republic CAR. From then she has had a brilliant career with the UN before vying for the presidency of Ethiopia which she won.
7. Nana Akufo Addo
President of: Ghana
Nana Akufo Addo is the president of Ghana; a position he has held since 2017. He was born in Accra, Ghana, and he attended the Government Boys School, Adabraka, and then Rowe Road School, both in Accra Central.
Nana Akufo Addo then went to England to study at Lancing College, Sussex for his O-Level and A-Level examinations. He returned to Ghana to study economics at the University of Ghana, which is in Legon.
After that he returned to England to train as a lawyer under the apprenticeship system. He was then called to the English Bar, and then to the Ghanaian Bar. He worked in Paris as a lawyer, before returning to Ghana to establish his own firm.
8. Joe Biden
President of: America
Joe Biden is the president of America; a position he has held since 2021. He was born in November 20, 1942.
He attended the university of Delaware; graduating with double honors in history and political science. He played college football for some time.
He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Syracuse university college of law, and was called to the Delaware bar. He admitted to not being a bright student; he graduated 76th in a class of 85.
Joe Biden has published several papers and books; about international child abduction, Putin’s stance towards Eastern Europe, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, and so on.
9. Emmanuel Macron
President of: France
Emmanuel Macron may not be most academically celebrated world leader; but he is surely the most handsome. He has been the president of France since 2017. Emmanuel Macron was born in December 1977 in Amiens, France, and he attended the Jesuit institute Lycée la Providence in Amiens, and then Lycée Henri-IV in Paris.
He studied philosophy at the University of Paris-Ouest Nanterre La Défense, and he obtained a DEA degree (a master level degree). He then worked as an editor for a popular French writer, and then for a magazine. Macron then obtained a master’s degree in public affairs at Sciences Po. He trained at the French Embassy in Nigeria, and then started work as a senior civil servant.
10. Yoon Suk Yeol
President of: South Korea
Yoon Suk Yeol is arguably the most faithful and sound person ever to hold the office of president of any country. He has been president of Korea since 2022.
He was born December 1960; his parents are both lecturers, and his father is a professor emeritus. He attended Daegwang Elementary School and Joongrang Middle School, as well as Choongam Middle School.
He then attended Choongam High School, and Seoul National University, where he studied law. It was there that he discovered the stellar character that would make him the man that he is today.
Yoon Suk Yeol worked as a public prosecutor; and he became the most feared lawyer in the country; prosecuting corrupt officials in both the public and private sector. He often earned the anger of his superiors, and suffered as a result. Lastly he had a run in with the president, leading to his resignation; but that also catapulted him to fame, and now he is president.
Related:
- Most Educated Presidents In Africa
- Most Developed Countries In Africa
- Most Educated Countries in The World
Closing
When considering the most educated presidents in the world, it is important to note that experience gathered in major positions is even more important than theoretical head knowledge. A president is thus able to perform better when he has built up his competence in lesser positions before becoming president.