Literacy was about 93.6% and 87.7% of Paraguayans finish the 5th grade according to UNESCO's last Educational Development Index 2008. Literacy does not differ much by gender. A more recent study reveals that attendance at primary school by children between 6 and 12 years old is about 98%. Primary education is free, mandatory and takes nine years. Secondary education takes three years. Paraguay's universities include:
• National University of Asunción (public and founded in 1889) Web Site
• Autonomous University of Asunción (private and founded in 1979) Web Site
• Catholic University (private and run by the church). Web Site
• American University (private).
The net primary enrollment rate was at 88% in 2005. Public expenditure on education was about 4.3 % of GDP in the early 2000s
