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Press Statement

Preasráiteas

29 November 2020

Press Statement Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2021

More than half (53%) of 25-64-year olds in 2021 have a third level education
  • Younger age groups reported the highest levels of third level attainment with 61% of 25-34-year olds having a third level qualification
  • Employment rates for those aged 25-64 years old increase as the level of education attained increased
  • Just under two-thirds (64%) of early school leavers aged 18-24 were not economically active in Q2 2021 compared to 35% of other persons aged 18-24
  • In Dublin, 61% of those aged between 25-64 had a third level qualification in comparison to 44% in the Border and Midlands areas
  • In Q2 2021, females aged 25-64-years old with a third level qualification were more than three times as likely to be employed (81%) compared to females with a primary education or no formal education (24%)
  • Around 4% of people aged between 25-64 had only a primary school education or no formal education

Go to release: Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2021

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (29 November 2021) released the Educational Attainment Thematic Report for Quarter 2 (Q2) 2021.

Commenting on the release Kevin Healy, Statistician, said: “This release is compiled using Labour Force Survey (LFS) Q2 2021 data and 2020 Eurostat dataThis report shows that in 2020 Ireland had higher rates of third level or tertiary education in comparison to the EU-27 average, with a peak of 58% of 25-34 year olds having a tertiary level qualification in 2020, compared with the EU-27 average of 41%.

In Q2 2021, younger age groups reported the highest levels of third level attainment, with more than half of the 25-34 and 35-45-year olds in this category (61% and 59% respectively), compared to approximately one-third (34%) of 60-64-year olds. This reflects increased levels of participation in third level education over time. 

Unemployment rates for those aged 25-64 generally decreased as the level of education attained increased. In Q2 2021, females aged 25-64 with a third level qualification were more than three times as likely to be employed (81%) compared to females with a primary education or no formal education (24%). On the other hand, males aged 25-64 with a third level qualification had an employment rate of 90% compared to 38% of those with a primary education or no formal education.

Overall rates for those aged 25-64-year olds had more than half (53%) attaining a third level education, 29% attaining a secondary level education and 4% attaining a primary level or no formal education. Regional differences were found in educational attainment rates, with 6% of people in the Border area and 3% of people living in the West, South-West and Dublin attaining primary only or no formal education. For secondary education 24% of people living in Dublin and 35% of people in the Midlands attained a secondary education. Around 61% of people in Dublin attained a third level education while 44% of people in the Border and Midland regions attained a third level education."

Editor's Note:

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of labour market statistics for Ireland including the official measures of employment and unemployment. These official measures are based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) concepts and definitions. The ILO measures are the international standard and all EU Member States are legally obliged to compile and provide this data to Eurostat on a quarterly basis. Please see the Information Note on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Labour Force Survey

For more information: Labour Force Survey Q2 2021

The rates of employment and unemployment listed in the Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2021 are not adjusted for COVID-19 impacts, as adjustments were just calculated at the aggregated level and are indicative of the upper (unemployment) and lower (employment) levels for the overall population. This approach does not allow for a disaggregated level of detail, such as adjusted COVID-19 employment figures by educational attainment.

For further information contact:

Kevin Healy (+353) 21 453 5370 or Caroline Barrett (+353) 21 453 5485

or email Education@cso.ie

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