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Adult Education Survey 2022

Lifelong Learning

CSO statistical publication, 30 April 2024, 11am

This chapter explores the interplay between lifelong learning and various sociodemographic factors for the reference period of 2022. It reveals a decline in lifelong learning participation as age increases. Additionally, the chapter examines how employment status influences participation, with employed individuals demonstrating a higher propensity to engage in lifelong learning. Finally, it analyses regional variations, highlighting Dublin as the NUTS3 region with the highest level of lifelong learning activity within the country.

Lifelong learning encompasses all formal or non-formal educational activities undertaken. Formal education refers to institutionalised learning activities, which are made up of structured hierarchical programmes recognised by the QQI. Non-formal education refers to institutionalised learning activities which are made up of structured hierarchical programmes typically not recognised by the QQI. The different types of non-formal education are courses, workshops or seminars, guided on-the-job training and private lessons.

Over six in ten adults (64%) aged 25-34 participated in lifelong learning compared with 35% of persons aged 55-69

Key Findings on lifelong learning:

Females aged 25-69 were more likely to participate in lifelong learning than males 53% to 51%.
Younger persons are more likely to participate in lifelong learning than older persons. Over six in ten adults (64%) aged 25-34 participated in lifelong learning compared with 35% of persons aged 55-69.
Regionally, Dublin has the highest participation in lifelong learning for adult aged 25-69.
In Dublin, nearly 6 in 10 persons (59%) aged 25-69 years old reported participating in lifelong learning in the reference period.
The Border region has the lowest level of participation in lifelong learning at 40% of those aged 25-69.
Employed persons aged 25-69 were more likely to have participated in lifelong learning than those who were unemployed (62% versus 35%).
As the highest level of education attained increased so did the participation rates in lifelong learning; only 29% of those who had attained higher secondary education or below had participated in lifelong learning while the corresponding figure for those who had attained third level honours degree or above was 69%.
For employed persons aged 25-69, those in the Human Health & Social Work activities sector were most likely to have participated in lifelong learning (81%) while those working in the Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing sector were the least likely (35%). See Figure 2.1 & Tables 2.1 & 2.2.

	% of persons aged 25-69
Formal	10
Non-formal	48
Lifeling learning	52
Informal	54

Table 2.1 Persons aged 25-69, classified by those who participated in an educational activity in the last 12 months, 2022

Table 2.2 Persons aged 25-69 in employment, classified by those who participated in an educational activity in the last 12 months, 2022

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Table 2.1 Persons aged 25-69, classified by those who participated in an educational activity in the last 12 months, 2022¹
% of persons aged 25-69
	Formal	Non-formal	Lifelong learning	Informal
State	10	48	52	54

Sex
Male	8	47	51	53
Female	12	48	53	55

Age group
25-34	18	57	64	56
35-44	12	54	59	58
45-54	10	50	53	51
55-69	3	33	35	49

Region
Border	4	37	40	46
West	10	48	52	50
Mid-West	13	55	58	70
South-East	9	49	54	61
South-West	12	43	49	43
Dublin	11	55	59	59
Mid-East	9	42	46	49
Midland	12	38	43	41

Highest level of educational attainment
Higher secondary or below	3	27	29	40
Post Leaving Certificate	10	46	50	57
Third level non honours degree	13	55	62	54
Third level honours degree or higher	15	63	69	62
Not Stated	4	27	27	44

Principal economic status
Working for payment or profit	11	58	62	55
Unemployed	14	30	35	56
Other including retired or unable to work	3	17	18	51
Student or pupil	[83]	[28]	[84]	[52]
Engaged on home duties	2	17	18	46

Citizenship
Irish	10	48	52	53
Non-Irish	12	49	56	57
¹ See Background Notes for definition of survey population and lifelong learning.
[ ] Figures in parentheses indicate percentages based on small numbers and are, therefore, subject to a wide margin of error.

Table 2.2 Persons aged 25-69 in employment, classified by those who participated in an educational activity in the last 12 months, 2022¹
% of persons aged 25-69
	Formal	Non-formal	Lifelong learning	Informal
State	11	58	62	55

Professional status of job
Self-employed without employees	9	35	41	60
Self-employed with employees	8	34	37	54
Employee	12	61	66	55
Family worker	*	*	*	*

NACE Principal Activity
A Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing	0	35	35	37
B-E Industry	11	53	57	53
F Construction	8	44	47	54
G Wholesale & Retail trade	4	42	44	49
H Transportation & Storage	5	50	50	51
I Accommodation & Food service activities	6	44	46	62
J Information & Communication	13	68	73	69
K-L Financial, Insurance & Real estate activities	17	71	77	52
M Professional, Scientific & Technical activities	14	60	67	69
N Administrative & Support service activities	2	47	49	48
O Public administration & Defence	11	67	71	56
P Education	17	74	79	60
Q Human Health & Social Work activities	17	74	81	53
R-U Other Services activities	12	39	44	49

Broad Occupational group
a. Managers, directors & senior officials	14	59	65	61
b. Professional	15	72	78	61
c. Associate professional & technical	16	64	72	58
d. Admin & secreterial	10	58	60	57
e. Skilled trades	6	44	46	46
f. Caring, leisure & other service	13	59	64	49
g. Sales & customer service	5	45	47	45
h. Process, plant & machine operatives	6	45	49	48
i. Elementary	3	40	42	53
j. Not stated	*	*	*	*
¹ See Background Notes for definition of survey population and lifelong learning.
* Sample occurrence too small for estimation.

Adult Education Survey 2022

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning

Over six in ten adults (64%) aged 25-34 participated in lifelong learning compared with 35% of persons aged 55-69

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