MORE than half of Ireland's population over 25 has not completed second level education, a new educational survey by the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development has revealed.
According to Education at a Glance, a report on the education system in various OECD countries, only 46 per cent of those aged 25-64 in Ireland have attained second level education beyond junior/intermediate certificate level.
Ireland is one of only seven countries surveyed where more than half the population in this age group have not attained upper second level education, compared to an OECD average of 59 per cent. Among 25 to 34 year olds, the percentage of those who have attained upper second level increases to 61 per cent, still below the OECD average of 69 per cent for this age group.
The figures in the report refer to the year 1993/94 and 22 countries were surveyed. Since 1985, enrolment in second level education has increased by 12.3 per cent in Ireland, almost twice the OECD average, and Ireland has the highest level of upper secondary education completion for women of any OECD country for both the 25-34 and 55-64 age groups.
Overall, expenditure per student on education in Ireland is 67 per cent of the OECD average. According to the report, Ireland spends 60 per cent of the OECD average per student at primary level and 72 per cent at second level, although expenditure at third level is 95 per cent of the average.