IRELAND IS ranked joint first in the EU for third-level attainment among those aged 25-34, according to the latest survey from the Central Statistics Office.
In Ireland, 48 per cent of this group have a third-level qualification, compared to an EU average of just 33 per cent.
Curiously, Irish nationals aged 15-64 are less likely to have a third-level qualification than other EU nationals resident in Ireland.
About one-in-three Irish nationals aged 15-64 had attained a third-level qualification (32 per cent) but the figure for British and other nationals living here averages over 50 per cent.
The Central Statistics Office also found 9 per cent of those between 18-24 in Ireland left school after the Junior Cert. Unemployment among this group is much higher when compared to those who completed the Leaving Cert and/or third level.
The survey says the dropout rate from Irish schools has improved from 13 per cent in 2004; it is now at the EU average.
Overall, the CSO Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2009-2011points to increasing educational attainment among most Irish adults. It also shows a clear link between educational background and job status.
The proportion of persons who reported having a third-level qualification increased across all age groups between 2000 and 2011. The largest increase was recorded in the 35-44 year age group where there was an increase of 21, percentage points, from 22 per cent in 2000 to 43 per cent in 2011.
The main findings include:
- Over a third of 25-64 year olds have a third-level qualification;
- Those with a third-level qualification were almost twice as likely to be working (87 per cent) compared to those with at most a primary education (46 per cent);
- Females aged 25-64 with a third-level qualification were almost three times as likely to be in the labour force (83 per cent) compared to females with at most primary level of education (30 per cent).
- The proportion of those aged 25-64 with a third-level qualification was 38 per cent;
- Ten per cent of those aged 25-64 had attained at most primary-level education;
- Employment rates increased as the level of education attained increased, with an employment rate of 35 per cent for persons with at most primary-level education, compared with an employment rate of 81 per cent for those with a third-level qualification.
- Those aged 25-64 with at most primary education were over three times more likely to be unemployed (24 per cent) when compared with those who had attained a third-level qualification (7 per cent).
The overall trend is particularly marked among the 25-34 age group, where those with at most primary education are almost seven times more likely to be unemployed (55 per cent) than those with a third-level qualification (8 per cent).
Overall, the proportion of those aged 15-24 in Ireland classified as “students” has increased from 51 per cent in 2007 to 62 per cent this year; this reflects the tightening employment market and the increased take-up of postgraduate options.
Last night TUI president Bernie Ruane said: “These findings illustrate starkly just how important it is for all students to stay on in school after the Junior Certificate . . . it is short-sighted in the extreme that alternative programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied have been specifically targeted by swingeing cutbacks, despite their proven record in retaining students”.