| Summary of main results, Q2 2017 | |||
| Persons aged 25-64 | |||
| Highest level of education attained | % of total | Employment rate | Unemployment rate |
| Primary or below | 6 | 35 | 14 |
| Lower secondary | 12 | 57 | 10 |
| Higher secondary | 23 | 70 | 7 |
| Post leaving certificate | 13 | 74 | 7 |
| Third level | 45 | 85 | 3 |
| Total persons aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 74 | 6 |
Higher educational attainment levels are associated with higher employment rates. Persons aged 25-64 years old with a third level qualification were more than twice as likely to be employed (85%) than those with no formal education/primary education (35%) in Q2 2017. See Figure 1.
Higher educational attainment levels are linked with lower unemployment rates. Those with primary education/no formal education were over four times more likely to be unemployed in Q2 2017 (14%) when compared with those who had a third level qualification (3%).
The proportion of those with a third level qualification was 45% in Q2 2017, while one in sixteen (6%) reported that they had primary education/no formal education.
Younger age groups reported the highest levels of third level attainment with over half of the 25-34 and 35-44 year olds in this category (53% and 52% respectively) compared to just over a quarter (27%) of 60-64 year olds. This reflects increased levels of participation in third level education over time. See Table 2 and Figure 2.
The gap between males and females is more evident in younger age groups. Females aged 20-24 and 25-34 years olds were far more likely to have a third level qualification in Q2 2017 with rates of 33% and 59% respectively. The equivalent rates for males were 24% for the 20-24 age group and 47% for the 25-34 age group. However there was little difference in older age groups with a 2 percent difference between males and females aged 55-59 (32% and 34%) and no difference for the 60-65 age group (both at 27%).
A fifth of persons (20%) aged 60-64 years old had primary education/no formal education. There was little difference between male and female rates within this age group (20% and 19% respectively).
| Primary or below | Lower secondary | Higher secondary | Post Leaving Certificate | Third level | |
| 15-19 years | 24 | 56 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| 20-24 years | 2 | 4 | 58 | 10 | 26 |
| 25-34 years | 2 | 6 | 25 | 14 | 53 |
| 35-44 years | 4 | 8 | 22 | 14 | 52 |
| 45-54 years | 7 | 15 | 23 | 14 | 41 |
| 55-59 years | 12 | 19 | 23 | 13 | 33 |
| 60-64 years | 20 | 21 | 23 | 9 | 27 |
Over the last nine years, there has been an increase in the proportion of those aged 25-64 years old with a third level education from 35% in Q2 2009 to 45% in Q2 2017. This was accompanied by a steady decrease in the proportion with primary education/no formal education from 13% in Q2 2009 to 6% in Q2 2017. See Figure 3.
The percentage of males with primary education/no formal education halved in the last nine years from 14% in Q2 2009 to 7% in Q2 2017. The corresponding proportion of females dropped from 11% to 6%.
| Primary or below | Lower secondary | Higher secondary | Post leaving cert. | Third Level | |
| 2009 | 13 | 16 | 23 | 13 | 36 |
| 2010 | 11 | 14 | 24 | 12 | 38 |
| 2011 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 13 | 39 |
| 2012 | 10 | 14 | 23 | 13 | 40 |
| 2013 | 9 | 13 | 23 | 13 | 42 |
| 2014 | 8 | 13 | 24 | 14 | 41 |
| 2015 | 8 | 12 | 24 | 13 | 43 |
| 2016 | 8 | 12 | 24 | 13 | 43 |
| 2017 | 6 | 12 | 23 | 13 | 45 |
Irish nationals have a consistently lower educational attainment than those from the United Kingdom (UK) and the other EU15 states. In Q2 2017, over four in ten Irish nationals (44%) aged 25-64 years old had a third level qualification while the corresponding proportions of UK nationals and the other EU15 states (excluding Ireland and the UK) were 56% and 80% respectively. The only nationality group with a lower rate of third level attainment than Irish nationals was the group of nationals from the EU15-28 states who are usually resident in Ireland. See Table 3 and Figure 4.
| Primary or below | Lower secondary | Higher secondary | Post Leaving Certificate | Third Level | |
| Irish | 7 | 13 | 23 | 14 | 44 |
| United Kingdom | 5 | 11 | 18 | 11 | 56 |
| EU-15 excl. Ire & UK | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 80 |
| EU-15 to EU-28 | 4 | 4 | 37 | 17 | 38 |
| Other | 3 | 2 | 19 | 6 | 70 |
In Dublin, over half of persons (54%) aged 25-64 years old had a third level qualification in Q2 2017, compared to just over a third (34%) in the Midlands. See Table 4 and Map 1.1.
One in eight persons (12%) aged 25-64 years old in the Border region had a primary level education or no formal education in Q2 2017. Conversely, only 4% of persons had a primary education level or below in the Mid-East. See Table 4 and Map 1.2.
Employment rates for those aged 25-64 years old increased as the level of education attained increased and this relationship is stronger for females than for males. In Q2 2017, females aged 25-64 years old with a third level qualification were over three times as likely to be employed (81%) compared to females with a primary education or no formal education (25%). On the other hand, males aged 25-64 years old with a third level qualification were over twice as likely to be employed (90%) than those with a primary education or no formal education (42%). See Table 5.1 and Figure 5.1.
Unemployment rates for those aged 25-64 years old clearly fell as the level of education attained increased. In Q2 2017, males aged 25-64 years old with a primary education or below were over three times as likely to be unemployed (15%) compared to males with a third level qualification (4%). The corresponding values for females in Q2 2017 were 11% and 3%. See Table 5.2 and Figure 5.2.
The labour force participation rate is the number of persons in the labour force expressed as a percentage of the total population. In Q2 2017, females aged 25-64 years old with a third level qualification were over two times as likely to be in the labour force (83%) compared to females with a primary education or below (31%). The corresponding values for males in Q2 2017 were 93% and 50% respectively. See Table 5.3.
| Highest level of education attained | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary or below | 42 | 25 | 35 |
| Lower secondary | 71 | 40 | 57 |
| Higher secondary | 80 | 60 | 70 |
| Post leaving cert. | 83 | 66 | 74 |
| Third level | 90 | 81 | 85 |
| Highest level of education attained | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary or below | 15.3363616699113 | 11 | 13.8095238095238 |
| Lower secondary | 11.2308044923218 | 9 | 10.1356525544251 |
| Higher secondary | 7.2451066316097 | 6 | 7 |
| Post leaving cert. | 6.08084358523726 | 8 | 7 |
| Third level | 4.11508206060872 | 2.72064380399926 | 3.39232102837329 |
The latest available EU figures showed that in 2016 11% of all 18-24 year olds in the EU-28 member states were classified as early school leavers. The Irish equivalent rate was 6% in the same period. This ranked the country seventh lowest among EU member states. See Table 6.1 and Figure 6.1.
In Q2 2017, 5% of those aged 18-24 were defined as early school leavers, a decrease from 14% in Q2 2004. In Q2 2017, females aged 18-24 years old were less likely than males to be classified as early school leavers (7% versus 4%) – although this gap has decreased over time. See Table 6.2 and Figure 6.2.
| Early school leavers as a % of persons aged 18-24 | EU-28 2016 average | |
| Croatia | 2.8 | 10.7 |
| Lithuania | 4.8 | 10.7 |
| Slovenia | 4.9 | 10.7 |
| Poland | 5.2 | 10.7 |
| Luxembourg | 5.5 | 10.7 |
| Greece | 6.2 | 10.7 |
| Ireland | 6.3 | 10.7 |
| Czech Republic | 6.6 | 10.7 |
| Austria | 6.9 | 10.7 |
| Denmark | 7.2 | 10.7 |
| Slovakia | 7.4 | 10.7 |
| Sweden | 7.4 | 10.7 |
| Cyprus | 7.6 | 10.7 |
| Finland | 7.9 | 10.7 |
| Netherlands | 8 | 10.7 |
| Belgium | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| France | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| Latvia | 10 | 10.7 |
| Germany | 10.3 | 10.7 |
| Estonia | 10.9 | 10.7 |
| United Kingdom | 11.2 | 10.7 |
| Hungary | 12.4 | 10.7 |
| Bulgaria | 13.8 | 10.7 |
| Italy | 13.8 | 10.7 |
| Portugal | 14 | 10.7 |
| Romania | 18.5 | 10.7 |
| Spain | 19 | 10.7 |
| Malta | 19.7 | 10.7 |
You can access this data on the Eurostat website.
| Male | Female | Total | |
| 2004 | 17 | 10 | 14 |
| 2005 | 16 | 9 | 12 |
| 2006 | 17 | 9 | 13 |
| 2007 | 15 | 8 | 12 |
| 2008 | 15 | 7 | 11 |
| 2009 | 15 | 7 | 11 |
| 2010 | 14 | 9 | 12 |
| 2011 | 13 | 8 | 11 |
| 2012 | 12 | 8 | 10 |
| 2013 | 10 | 6 | 8 |
| 2014 | 8 | 5 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
The latest available EU figures showed that in 2016, 83% of all 20-24 year olds in the EU-28 member states had attained at least a higher secondary level of education. The corresponding figure for Ireland was 94%, ranking the country second among EU member states. See Table 7.1 and Figure 7.1.
In Q2 2017, over nine out of ten (94%) of those aged 20-24 years old had attained at least a higher secondary level of education in Ireland. The proportion has increased from 84% in Q2 2000. In Q2 2017, females aged 20-24 years old were more likely than males to have attained at least a higher secondary level education (96% versus 93%). See Table 7.2 and Figure 7.2.
| Persons with at least a higher secondary education as a % of persons aged 20-24 | EU-28 2016 average | |
| Spain | 70.9 | 83.1 |
| Denmark | 75.4 | 83.1 |
| Luxembourg | 77 | 83.1 |
| Malta | 77.5 | 83.1 |
| Portugal | 77.5 | 83.1 |
| Germany | 77.7 | 83.1 |
| Romania | 79.9 | 83.1 |
| Netherlands | 80.5 | 83.1 |
| Italy | 81 | 83.1 |
| Hungary | 83.5 | 83.1 |
| Estonia | 83.8 | 83.1 |
| Latvia | 84.8 | 83.1 |
| Bulgaria | 85 | 83.1 |
| United Kingdom | 85.2 | 83.1 |
| Belgium | 85.3 | 83.1 |
| Sweden | 86.9 | 83.1 |
| Finland | 87.7 | 83.1 |
| France | 87.7 | 83.1 |
| Austria | 89.5 | 83.1 |
| Czech Republic | 89.6 | 83.1 |
| Slovakia | 90.4 | 83.1 |
| Poland | 90.8 | 83.1 |
| Slovenia | 90.9 | 83.1 |
| Cyprus | 91.2 | 83.1 |
| Greece | 91.2 | 83.1 |
| Lithuania | 91.7 | 83.1 |
| Ireland | 93.6 | 83.1 |
| Croatia | 96.3 | 83.1 |
You can access this data on the Eurostat website.
| Male | Female | All persons | |
| 2000 | 80 | 87 | 84 |
| 2001 | 81 | 89 | 85 |
| 2002 | 80 | 89 | 84 |
| 2003 | 82 | 90 | 86 |
| 2004 | 82 | 90 | 86 |
| 2005 | 83 | 90 | 87 |
| 2006 | 81 | 90 | 86 |
| 2007 | 84 | 91 | 87 |
| 2008 | 84 | 92 | 88 |
| 2009 | 85 | 92 | 89 |
| 2010 | 86 | 93 | 90 |
| 2011 | 87 | 92 | 90 |
| 2012 | 87 | 92 | 90 |
| 2013 | 90 | 94 | 92 |
| 2014 | 92 | 94 | 93 |
| 2015 | 92 | 95 | 93 |
| 2016 | 92 | 96 | 94 |
| 2017 | 93 | 96 | 94 |
The latest available EU figures (2016) show that 39% of 30-34 year olds had a third level qualification. Ireland had the fourth highest third level educational attainment level at 53%, behind Cyprus (53%), Luxembourg (55%) and Lithuania (59%). See Table 8.1 and Figure 8.1.
The proportion of the 30-34 age group with a third level qualification has slowly increased in recent years. In Q2 2017, 53% of persons aged 30-34 years old had a third level qualification. In Q2 2009, the equivalent figure was 49%. See Table 8.2 and Figure 8.2.
From 2003, the gap between the genders has steadily increased, resulting in three in five females (60%) with a third level qualification compared to under half (46%) of males.
| Persons with a third level qualification as a % of persons aged 30-34 | EU-28 2016 average | |
| Romania | 25.6 | 39.1 |
| Italy | 26.2 | 39.1 |
| Croatia | 29.3 | 39.1 |
| Malta | 29.9 | 39.1 |
| Slovakia | 31.5 | 39.1 |
| Czech Rep. | 32.8 | 39.1 |
| Hungary | 33 | 39.1 |
| Germany | 33.2 | 39.1 |
| Bulgaria | 33.8 | 39.1 |
| Portugal | 34.6 | 39.1 |
| Austria | 40.1 | 39.1 |
| Spain | 40.1 | 39.1 |
| Greece | 42.7 | 39.1 |
| Latvia | 42.8 | 39.1 |
| France | 43.6 | 39.1 |
| Slovenia | 44.2 | 39.1 |
| Poland | 44.6 | 39.1 |
| Estonia | 45.4 | 39.1 |
| Belgium | 45.6 | 39.1 |
| Netherlands | 45.7 | 39.1 |
| Finland | 46.1 | 39.1 |
| Denmark | 47.7 | 39.1 |
| UK | 48.2 | 39.1 |
| Sweden | 51 | 39.1 |
| Ireland | 52.9 | 39.1 |
| Cyprus | 53.4 | 39.1 |
| Luxembourg | 54.6 | 39.1 |
| Lithuania | 58.7 | 39.1 |
You can access this data on the Eurostat website.
| Male | Female | All persons | |
| 2000 | 26 | 29 | 28 |
| 2001 | 29 | 31 | 30 |
| 2002 | 31 | 34 | 32 |
| 2003 | 36 | 35 | 35 |
| 2004 | 37 | 41 | 39 |
| 2005 | 38 | 43 | 41 |
| 2006 | 36 | 46 | 41 |
| 2007 | 37 | 48 | 42 |
| 2008 | 40 | 52 | 46 |
| 2009 | 43 | 55 | 49 |
| 2010 | 45 | 56 | 50 |
| 2011 | 45 | 56 | 51 |
| 2012 | 46 | 58 | 52 |
| 2013 | 46 | 58 | 52 |
| 2014 | 45 | 58 | 52 |
| 2015 | 44 | 58 | 52 |
| 2016 | 46 | 58 | 52 |
| 2017 | 46 | 60 | 53 |
Approximately three in five persons (61%) aged 15-24 years old stated that they were a student in Q2 2017. This was an increase from 2009 where just under half (48%) of persons aged 15-24 years old reported that they were a student. See Table 9 and Figure 9.
Almost all persons aged 15-17 years old were classified as students in Q2 2017 (98% of 15 year olds, 97% of 16 year olds and 96% of 17 year olds). The largest drop for a single year increase in age in the proportion classified as students was observed between those aged 21 years (48%) and those aged 22 years (31%).
| Year of Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 98 | 97 |
| 16 | 95 | 98 |
| 17 | 96 | 95 |
| 18 | 82 | 85 |
| 19 | 64 | 67 |
| 20 | 51 | 60 |
| 21 | 44 | 53 |
| 22 | 32 | 31 |
| 23 | 17 | 20 |
| 24 | 9 | 11 |
| Table 1 Percentage of persons aged 15-64, classified by sex and the highest level of education attained, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017 | |||||
| % of persons | |||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Males aged 15 to 64 | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 9 | 10 | 9 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 18 | 17 | 17 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 28 | 27 | 27 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 11 | 12 | 12 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 34 | 34 | 36 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 11 | 10 | 11 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 14 | 14 | 15 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | |
| All males aged 15 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| Females aged 15 to 64 | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 8 | 8 | 7 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 14 | 14 | 13 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 26 | 25 | 25 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 11 | 12 | 12 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 41 | 42 | 42 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 14 | 14 | 14 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 15 | 15 | 16 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | |
| All females aged 15 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| All persons aged 15 to 64 | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 9 | 9 | 8 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 16 | 15 | 15 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 27 | 26 | 26 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 11 | 12 | 12 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 38 | 38 | 39 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | |
| All persons aged 15 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| Table 2 Highest level of education attained by persons aged 15-64, classified by age group, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017 | |||||||||||
| % of persons | |||||||||||
| Highest level of education attained | |||||||||||
| Primary or below | Lower secondary | Higher secondary | Post Leaving Certificate | Third level (in total) | Third Level, of which: | Total | |||||
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | Ordinary Degree or equivalent | Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | Postgraduate qualification | ||||||||
| NFQ | None/1/2 | 3 | 4/5 | 4/5/6 | 6/7/8/9/10 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9/10 | ||
| Year | Age group | ||||||||||
| April to June 2015 | |||||||||||
| 15-19 years | 22 | 55 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 20-24 years | 1 | 5 | 54 | 10 | 29 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 100 | |
| 25-34 years | 3 | 6 | 26 | 13 | 52 | 4 | 15 | 23 | 10 | 100 | |
| 35-44 years | 4 | 10 | 22 | 13 | 51 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 100 | |
| 45-54 years | 8 | 17 | 25 | 14 | 37 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 100 | |
| 55-59 years | 14 | 19 | 26 | 13 | 28 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 100 | |
| 60-64 years | 25 | 20 | 22 | 9 | 25 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 100 | |
| All persons aged 15 to 64 | 9 | 16 | 27 | 11 | 38 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 100 | |
| April to June 2016 | |||||||||||
| 15-19 years | 20 | 54 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 20-24 years | 2 | 4 | 52 | 12 | 30 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 3 | 100 | |
| 25-34 years | 3 | 6 | 25 | 14 | 51 | 4 | 14 | 22 | 11 | 100 | |
| 35-44 years | 4 | 9 | 21 | 14 | 52 | 5 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 100 | |
| 45-54 years | 9 | 15 | 25 | 14 | 37 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 100 | |
| 55-59 years | 14 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 30 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 100 | |
| 60-64 years | 22 | 20 | 23 | 10 | 26 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 100 | |
| All persons aged 15 to 64 | 9 | 15 | 26 | 12 | 38 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 100 | |
| April to June 2017 | |||||||||||
| 15-19 years | 22 | 54 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
| 20-24 years | 2 | 4 | 56 | 10 | 28 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 100 | |
| 25-34 years | 2 | 6 | 25 | 14 | 53 | 4 | 13 | 25 | 12 | 100 | |
| 35-44 years | 4 | 8 | 22 | 14 | 52 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 12 | 100 | |
| 45-54 years | 7 | 14 | 23 | 14 | 42 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 100 | |
| 55-59 years | 12 | 19 | 23 | 13 | 33 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 100 | |
| 60-64 years | 20 | 21 | 23 | 9 | 27 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 100 | |
| All persons aged 15 to 64 | 8 | 15 | 26 | 12 | 39 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 100 | |
| Table 3 Highest level of education attained for persons aged 25-64, classified by nationality, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017 | ||||||||
| % of persons | ||||||||
| April to June 2015 | ||||||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | Irish | Non - Irish | United Kingdom | EU-15 excl. Ire & UK | EU-15 to EU-28 | Other | All nationalities |
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Lower secondary | 3 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| Higher secondary | 4/5 | 23 | 29 | 22 | 19 | 40 | 21 | 24 |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 15 | 7 | 13 |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 42 | 50 | 51 | 73 | 36 | 65 | 43 |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 14 |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 33 | 10 | 28 | 16 |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 15 | 9 |
| All persons aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
| April to June 2016 | ||||||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | Irish | Non - Irish | United Kingdom | EU-15 excl. Ire & UK | EU-15 to EU-28 | Other | All nationalities |
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Lower secondary | 3 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
| Higher secondary | 4/5 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 34 | 20 | 24 |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 7 | 13 |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 41 | 54 | 53 | 81 | 39 | 69 | 43 |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 15 | 18 | 14 |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 33 | 12 | 31 | 16 |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 23 | 8 | 17 | 9 |
| All persons aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
| April to June 2017 | ||||||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | Irish | Non - Irish | United Kingdom | EU-15 excl. Ire & UK | EU-15 to EU-28 | Other | All nationalities |
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Lower secondary | 3 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| Higher secondary | 4/5 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 37 | 19 | 23 |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 6 | 13 |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 44 | 55 | 56 | 80 | 38 | 70 | 45 |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 14 |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 36 | 12 | 30 | 17 |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 28 | 9 | 19 | 10 |
| All persons aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
| Table 4 Highest level of education attained for persons aged 25-64, classified by sex and NUTS3 region, Q2 2017 | |||||||||||
| % of persons | |||||||||||
| NUTS3 region | |||||||||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | Border | Dublin | Mid-East | Midland | Mid-West | South-East | South-West | West | All | |
| Males aged 25 to 64 | |||||||||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| Lower secondary | 3 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 21 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 13 | |
| Higher secondary | 4/5 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 13 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 31 | 55 | 44 | 28 | 38 | 31 | 42 | 40 | 42 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 10 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 17 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 6 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
| Total males aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| Females aged 25 to 64 | |||||||||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | |
| Lower secondary | 3 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | |
| Higher secondary | 4/5 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 27 | 23 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 14 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 41 | 53 | 51 | 39 | 44 | 44 | 50 | 52 | 48 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 11 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 11 | |
| Total females aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| All Persons aged 25 to 64 | |||||||||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
| Lower secondary | 3 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| Higher secondary | 4/5 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 22 | 27 | 23 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 13 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 36 | 54 | 47 | 34 | 41 | 38 | 46 | 46 | 45 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 10 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 17 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 8 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 10 | |
| Total persons aged 25 to 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||
| Table 5.1 Employment rates of persons aged 25-64, classified by sex and highest level of education attained, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017 | |||||
| % of persons | |||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male employment rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 47 | 46 | 42 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 69 | 70 | 71 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 77 | 78 | 80 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 80 | 82 | 83 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 88 | 88 | 90 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 83 | 85 | 83 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 86 | 85 | 87 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 89 | 88 | 91 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 90 | 91 | 92 | |
| Total male employment rate | 78 | 78 | 80 | ||
| Female employment rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 24 | 26 | 25 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 38 | 40 | 40 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 58 | 60 | 60 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 64 | 65 | 66 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 79 | 79 | 81 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 74 | 67 | 76 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 74 | 76 | 76 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 81 | 82 | 83 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 85 | 85 | 86 | |
| Total female employment rate | 64 | 65 | 67 | ||
| All persons employment rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 36 | 37 | 35 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 56 | 57 | 57 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 67 | 69 | 70 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 72 | 74 | 74 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 83 | 83 | 85 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 78 | 75 | 79 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 79 | 80 | 81 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 85 | 85 | 87 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 87 | 87 | 89 | |
| Total persons employment rate | 71 | 72 | 74 | ||
| Table 5.2 Unemployment rates of persons aged 25-64, classified by sex and highest level of education attained, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017 | |||||
| % of persons | |||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male unemployment rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 21 | 21 | 15 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 16 | 13 | 11 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 11 | 9 | 7 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 11 | 7 | 6 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Total male unemployment rate | 10 | 8 | 6 | ||
| Female unemployment rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 16 | 17 | 11 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 18 | 11 | 9 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 10 | 7 | 6 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 12 | 10 | 8 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 7 | 13 | 4 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Total female unemployment rate | 9 | 7 | 5 | ||
| All persons unemployment rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 20 | 19 | 14 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 17 | 13 | 10 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 11 | 9 | 7 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 11 | 8 | 7 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 7 | 10 | 6 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Total unemployment rate | 9 | 8 | 6 | ||
| Table 5.3 Labour force participation rates of persons aged 25-64, classified by sex and the highest level of education attained, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017 | |||||
| % of persons | |||||
| Highest level of education attained | NFQ | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male participation rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 60 | 57 | 50 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 82 | 80 | 80 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 86 | 86 | 86 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 90 | 89 | 88 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 92 | 92 | 93 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 89 | 92 | 90 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 91 | 91 | 91 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 93 | 92 | 94 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 94 | 94 | 95 | |
| Total male participation rate | 86 | 85 | 86 | ||
| Female participation rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 28 | 31 | 28 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 47 | 45 | 44 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 65 | 65 | 64 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 72 | 72 | 72 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 84 | 84 | 84 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 80 | 77 | 79 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 80 | 80 | 79 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 85 | 86 | 86 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 88 | 90 | 89 | |
| Total female participation rate | 70 | 70 | 71 | ||
| All persons particpation rate | |||||
| Primary or below | None/1/2 | 45 | 46 | 40 | |
| Lower Secondary | 3 | 67 | 65 | 64 | |
| Higher Secondary | 4/5 | 75 | 76 | 75 | |
| Post Leaving Certificate | 4/5/6 | 81 | 81 | 80 | |
| Third Level, of which: | 6/7/8/9/10 | 87 | 87 | 88 | |
| Higher Certificate or equivalent | 6 | 84 | 83 | 84 | |
| Ordinary Degree or equivalent | 7 | 85 | 84 | 84 | |
| Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | 8 | 89 | 89 | 90 | |
| Postgraduate qualification | 9/10 | 91 | 92 | 91 | |
| Total participation rate | 78 | 78 | 78 | ||
| Table 6.1 Early school leavers1 as a percentage of persons aged 18-24 in EU member states, classified by sex, 2016 | ||||
| % of persons | ||||
| Country | Males | Females | Total | |
| EU-28 | 12 | 9 | 11 | |
| EU-15 | 13 | 9 | 11 | |
| Austria | 8 | 6 | 7 | |
| Belgium | 10 | 7 | 9 | |
| Bulgaria | 14 | 14 | 14 | |
| Croatia | 4 | 2 | 3 | |
| Cyprus | 11 | 4 | 8 | |
| Czech Republic | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| Denmark | 9 | 6 | 7 | |
| Estonia | 14 | 7 | 11 | |
| Finland | 9 | 7 | 8 | |
| France | 10 | 8 | 9 | |
| Germany | 11 | 10 | 10 | |
| Greece | 7 | 5 | 6 | |
| Hungary | 13 | 12 | 12 | |
| Ireland | 8 | 5 | 6 | |
| Italy | 16 | 11 | 14 | |
| Latvia | 14 | 6 | 10 | |
| Lithuania | 6 | 4 | 5 | |
| Luxembourg | 7 | 4 | 6 | |
| Malta | 23 | 16 | 20 | |
| Netherlands | 10 | 6 | 8 | |
| Poland | 6 | 4 | 5 | |
| Portugal | 17 | 11 | 14 | |
| Romania | 18 | 19 | 19 | |
| Slovakia | 8 | 7 | 7 | |
| Slovenia | 7 | 3 | 5 | |
| Spain | 23 | 15 | 19 | |
| Sweden | 8 | 6 | 7 | |
| United Kingdom | 13 | 10 | 11 | |
| Source: Eurostat | ||||
| The Eurostat figures for Ireland are derived on an annual average for 2016 and so may differ slightly from the values in Table 6.2. | ||||
| 1 See background notes for definition of an early school leaver. | ||||
| Table 6.2 Early school leavers1 as a percentage of 18-24 year olds, classified by sex, Q2 2004 - Q2 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| % of persons | ||||||||||||||
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Female | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Total | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| 1 See background notes for definition of an early school leaver. | ||||||||||||||
| Table 7.1 Percentage of persons aged 20-24 with at least a higher secondary education1 in EU member states, classified by sex, 2016 | ||||
| % of persons | ||||
| Country | Males | Females | Total | |
| EU-28 | 81 | 86 | 83 | |
| EU-15 | 79 | 85 | 82 | |
| Austria | 88 | 91 | 90 | |
| Belgium | 83 | 88 | 85 | |
| Bulgaria | 85 | 85 | 85 | |
| Croatia | 96 | 97 | 96 | |
| Cyprus | 87 | 95 | 91 | |
| Czech Republic | 90 | 90 | 90 | |
| Denmark | 71 | 80 | 75 | |
| Estonia | 79 | 88 | 84 | |
| Finland | 86 | 89 | 88 | |
| France | 86 | 89 | 88 | |
| Germany | 76 | 80 | 78 | |
| Greece | 90 | 92 | 91 | |
| Hungary | 83 | 84 | 84 | |
| Ireland | 92 | 95 | 94 | |
| Italy | 78 | 85 | 81 | |
| Latvia | 80 | 89 | 85 | |
| Lithuania | 89 | 94 | 92 | |
| Luxembourg | 72 | 82 | 77 | |
| Malta | 73 | 82 | 78 | |
| Netherlands | 77 | 84 | 81 | |
| Poland | 89 | 93 | 91 | |
| Portugal | 73 | 82 | 78 | |
| Romania | 81 | 79 | 80 | |
| Slovakia | 91 | 90 | 90 | |
| Slovenia | 88 | 94 | 91 | |
| Spain | 65 | 77 | 71 | |
| Sweden | 86 | 88 | 87 | |
| United Kingdom | 83 | 88 | 85 | |
| Source: Eurostat | ||||
| The Eurostat figures for Ireland are derived on an annual average for 2016 and so may differ slightly from the values in Table 7.2. | ||||
| 1 See background notes for definition of "at least a higher secondary education". | ||||
| Table 7.2 Percentage of 20-24 year olds with at least a higher secondary level education1, classified by sex, Q2 2009 - Q2 2017 | |||||||||
| % of persons | |||||||||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male | 85 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 92 | 93 |
| Female | 92 | 93 | 92 | 92 | 94 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 96 |
| All persons | 89 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 93 | 93 | 94 | 94 |
| 1 See background notes for definition of "at least a higher secondary education". | |||||||||
| Table 8.1 Percentage of persons aged 30-34 with a third level qualification1 in EU member states, classified by sex, 2016 | ||||
| % of persons | ||||
| Country | Males | Females | Total | |
| EU-28 | 34 | 44 | 39 | |
| EU-15 | 36 | 44 | 40 | |
| Austria | 38 | 42 | 40 | |
| Belgium | 40 | 51 | 46 | |
| Bulgaria | 27 | 41 | 34 | |
| Croatia | 22 | 37 | 29 | |
| Cyprus | 44 | 62 | 53 | |
| Czech Republic | 27 | 39 | 33 | |
| Denmark | 41 | 55 | 48 | |
| Estonia | 39 | 52 | 45 | |
| Finland | 38 | 54 | 46 | |
| France | 38 | 49 | 44 | |
| Germany | 33 | 33 | 33 | |
| Greece | 36 | 49 | 43 | |
| Hungary | 26 | 40 | 33 | |
| Ireland | 47 | 59 | 53 | |
| Italy | 20 | 33 | 26 | |
| Latvia | 30 | 56 | 43 | |
| Lithuania | 48 | 69 | 59 | |
| Luxembourg | 53 | 57 | 55 | |
| Malta | 27 | 33 | 30 | |
| Netherlands | 42 | 50 | 46 | |
| Poland | 36 | 54 | 45 | |
| Portugal | 27 | 42 | 35 | |
| Romania | 24 | 27 | 26 | |
| Slovakia | 24 | 39 | 32 | |
| Slovenia | 34 | 55 | 44 | |
| Spain | 34 | 47 | 40 | |
| Sweden | 43 | 59 | 51 | |
| United Kingdom | 46 | 50 | 48 | |
| Source: Eurostat | ||||
| The Eurostat figures for Ireland are derived on an annual average for 2016 and so may differ slightly from the values in Table 8.2. | ||||
| 1 See background notes for definition of a "third level qualification". | ||||
| Table 8.2 Percentage of 30-34 year olds with a third level qualification1, classified by sex, Q2 2009 - Q2 2017 | |||||||||
| % of persons | |||||||||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male | 43 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 46 | 46 |
| Female | 55 | 56 | 56 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 60 |
| All persons | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 53 |
| 1 See background notes for definition of a "third level qualification". | |||||||||
| Table 9 Students1 as a proportion of population aged 15-24, classified by single year of age and sex, Q2 2009 - Q2 2017 | ||||||||||
| % of persons | ||||||||||
| Year of age | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Male students | ||||||||||
| 15 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 98 | 97 | 98 | |
| 16 | 97 | 96 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 97 | 96 | 99 | 95 | |
| 17 | 90 | 91 | 93 | 95 | 95 | 94 | 95 | 95 | 96 | |
| 18 | 69 | 72 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 79 | 79 | 82 | 82 | |
| 19 | 46 | 53 | 57 | 52 | 60 | 66 | 56 | 57 | 64 | |
| 20 | 37 | 41 | 46 | 49 | 50 | 53 | 47 | 42 | 51 | |
| 21 | 27 | 34 | 39 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 47 | 40 | 44 | |
| 22 | 17 | 26 | 21 | 30 | 38 | 37 | 29 | 32 | 32 | |
| 23 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 17 | |
| 24 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 9 | |
| Total | 46 | 51 | 54 | 57 | 59 | 61 | 60 | 59 | 60 | |
| Female students | ||||||||||
| 15 | 100 | 98 | 98 | 99 | 98 | 98 | 95 | 98 | 97 | |
| 16 | 99 | 98 | 98 | 99 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 98 | |
| 17 | 94 | 97 | 94 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 97 | 95 | |
| 18 | 79 | 80 | 80 | 81 | 84 | 83 | 88 | 80 | 85 | |
| 19 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 71 | 69 | 69 | 77 | 70 | 67 | |
| 20 | 45 | 51 | 56 | 59 | 64 | 57 | 55 | 64 | 60 | |
| 21 | 33 | 40 | 43 | 50 | 51 | 48 | 49 | 49 | 53 | |
| 22 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 30 | 31 | 39 | 33 | 34 | 31 | |
| 23 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 20 | |
| 24 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 11 | |
| Total | 50 | 54 | 56 | 60 | 62 | 62 | 64 | 63 | 63 | |
| All students | ||||||||||
| 15 | 99 | 99 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 98 | 98 | |
| 16 | 98 | 97 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 99 | 97 | |
| 17 | 92 | 94 | 93 | 96 | 96 | 95 | 95 | 96 | 96 | |
| 18 | 73 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 80 | 81 | 83 | 81 | 83 | |
| 19 | 52 | 57 | 62 | 61 | 64 | 68 | 66 | 63 | 65 | |
| 20 | 41 | 46 | 51 | 54 | 57 | 55 | 51 | 53 | 55 | |
| 21 | 30 | 37 | 41 | 45 | 46 | 43 | 48 | 45 | 48 | |
| 22 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 30 | 34 | 38 | 31 | 33 | 31 | |
| 23 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 18 | |
| 24 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 10 | |
| Total | 48 | 53 | 55 | 59 | 61 | 61 | 62 | 61 | 61 | |
| 1 Those who indicated that their principal economic status is "Student". See background notes for further information. | ||||||||||
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) (formally known as the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS)) came into effect in 2017. The first results from this survey, for Q3 2017, were published in January 2018. This incorporated the revision of population estimates arising from the 2016 Census of Population along with a back-cast series of the existing data for the QNHS.
The primary purpose of the LFS is the production of quarterly labour force estimates. Questions on educational attainment are included in the core LFS questionnaire each quarter. This report is based on those questions. Further information relating to previous social modules is provided at the end of this note.
This report is based on the back-casted LFS data which was also adjusted for the 2016 Census data.
For this release, educational attainment results are presented for each year using data from Quarter 2 (i.e. April-June).
The change in the educational attainment series in Q2 2009 means that detailed results prior to Q2 2009 are not directly comparable with results from Q2 2009 onwards. Because of this, some results in this release are only presented from Q2 2009 onwards. For tables that are not affected by the change in series results are presented from Q2 2000 onwards or from whenever the data has been collected (e.g. from Q2 2004 onwards in the case of early school leavers).
Percentage breakdowns exclude cases where the interviewee did not state their educational attainment.
The sum of row or column percentages in the tables in this report may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Many international statistical organisations use the 15-64 years age range as a standard working age population. However, the majority of persons aged 15-24 years old are students and this cohort has been steadily increasing as most continue their studies into tertiary education. Data presented in this report will mainly focus on the educational attainment of the 25-64 year age group, unless otherwise specified.
This classification is derived from a single question and refers to educational standards that have been attained and can be compared in some measurable way. The question is included in the core QNHS questionnaire on an ongoing basis and is phrased as follows: “What is the highest level of education or training you have ever successfully completed?”
There are two methods of presenting results for educational attainment; the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) and the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
ISCED:
UNESCO developed the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) to facilitate comparisons of education statistics and indicators across countries on the basis of uniform and internationally agreed definitions. The current revision of ISCED used in this release is ISCED 2011 (ISCED11).
For information on the ISCED11 classification, see:
http://uis.unesco.org/en/topic/international-standard-classification-education-isced
NFQ:
The NFQ was launched in 2003 and it is now the single structure mechanism for recognising all education and training in Ireland. All framework awards now have an NFQ Level, numbered from 1 to 10, which tells you about the standard of learning and an NFQ Award-Type which tells you about the purpose, volume and progression opportunities associated with a particular award. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has responsibility to develop, promote and maintain the Irish NFQ.
In this release educational attainment results are presented using a descriptive name and the corresponding NFQ levels.
For information on the NFQ see:
http://www.qqi.ie/Articles/Pages/National-Framework-of-Qualifications-(NFQ).aspx
The classification of educational levels in the QNHS was revised in Q2 of 2009 in order to facilitate the linking of education categories to the NFQ, while also retaining links with the international education classification, ISCED. The change was made in the third level qualification categories to separate the attainment of Ordinary degrees from Honours Bachelor degrees. Because of this detailed results prior to Q2 2009 are not directly comparable with results from Q2 2009 onwards.
In previous educational attainment releases the educational attainment variable was presented using ISCED 1997 while, in this release, the response levels are grouped together into educational attainment levels using the NFQ. The table below gives education qualifications alongside the corresponding ISCED level, NFQ level and the educational attainment level reported in this release.
Table A1 Educational qualifications and corresponding ISCED 11 level, NFQ level and Educational attainment level
| Education Qualification | ISCED11 Level | NFQ Level | Educational Attainment Level | |
| No formal education or training | 0 | Primary or below | ||
| Pre-primary education/Primary education (or FETAC Certificate at NFQ level 1 or 2) | 100 | 1/2 | Primary or below | |
| Lower Secondary | Junior Certificate | 200 | 3 | Lower secondary |
| Intermediate Certificate | 200 | 3 | ||
| Group Certificate | 200 | 3 | ||
| FÁS Introductory Skills Certificate | 200 | 3 | ||
| NCVA Foundation Certificate | 200 | 3 | ||
| FETAC Certificate at NFQ level 3 | 200 | 3 | ||
| Equivalent Qualification at NFQ level 3 | 200 | 3 | ||
| Transition Year | 200 | Lower secondary | ||
| Higher Secondary | Leaving Certificate (Traditional) | 304 | 4/5 | Higher secondary |
| Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) | 303 | 4/5 | ||
| Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) | 303 | 4/5 | ||
| Equivalent Qualification at NFQ level 4/5 | 300 | 4/5 | ||
| Technical or Vocational | Secretarial | 400 | 4/5 | Post leaving cert |
| Certificate in Hotel Operations | 400 | 4/5 | ||
| PLC (Post Leaving Certificate Course) | 400 | 4/5 | ||
| FÁS National Skills Certificate | 400 | 4/5 | ||
| FÁS Specific Skills Certificate | 400 | 4/5 | ||
| FETAC level Certificate at NFQ level 4 | 400 | 4 | ||
| FETAC level Certificate at NFQ level 5 | 400 | 5 | ||
| Equivalent qualification at NFQ level 4/5 | 400 | 4/5 | ||
| Advance Certificate | Completed apprenticeships | 400 | 6 | Post leaving cert |
| Teagasc farming or horticulture Certificate/Diploma | 400 | 6 | ||
| National Craft Certificate | 400 | 6 | ||
| FETAC advanced Certificate at NFQ level 6 | 400 | 6 | ||
| Equivalent Qualification at NFQ level 6 | 400 | 6 | ||
| Higher Certificate | National Certificate (NCEA/DIT/IOT) | 500 | 6 | Higher certificate and equivalent |
| Cadetship (army, air corps or naval service) | 500 | 6 | ||
| HETAC/DIT Higher Certificate at NFQ level 6 | 500 | 6 | ||
| Equivalent qualification at NFQ level 6 | 500 | 6 | ||
| Diploma | National Diploma (HETAC/NCEA e.g. 3 year diploma) | 500 | 7 | Ordinary degree or equivalent |
| Bachelor Degree (DIT) | 500 | 7 | ||
| Equivalent qualification at NFQ level 7 | 600 | 7 | ||
| Ordinary Bachelor Degree at NFQ level 7 | 600 | 7 | Ordinary degree or equivalent | |
| Honours Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma or Higher Diploma at NFQ level 8 | 600 | 8 | Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | |
| Professional (Honours Bachelor Degree equivalent or higher) | 600 | 8 | Honours bachelor degree or equivalent | |
| Post-Graduate (e.g. Post Graduate Diploma or Masters degree at NFQ level 9) | 700 | 9 | Postgraduate qualification | |
| Doctorate or higher (e.g. Doctoral Degree/higher Doctorate at NFQ level 10) | 800 | 10 | Postgraduate qualification | |
The primary classification used for the QNHS results is the ILO (International Labour Office) Labour Force classification. The ILO classification distinguishes the following main subgroups of the population aged 15 and over:
In Employment: Persons who worked in the week before the survey for one hour or more for payment or profit, including work on the family farm or business and all persons who had a job but were not at work because of illness, holidays etc. in the week.
Unemployed: Persons who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work within the next two weeks, and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work.
Inactive Population (not in labour force): All other persons.
The rates given in this release are based on the ILO classification.
The Principal Economic Status (PES) classification is based on a single question in which respondents are asked what is their usual situation with regard to employment and given the following response categories:
The regional classifications in this release are based on the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. The NUTS3 regions correspond to the eight Regional Authorities established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1993, which came into operation on 1 January 1994. The NUTS2 regions, which were proposed by Government and agreed by Eurostat in 1999, are groupings of the NUTS3 regions. The composition of the regions is set out below.
The composition of the regions is set out below.
| NUTS2 Region | Border, Midland and Western | Southern and Eastern | ||
| NUTS3 Region | Border | Cavan | Dublin | Dublin City |
| Donegal | Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown | |||
| Leitrim | Fingal | |||
| Louth | South Dublin | |||
| Monaghan | ||||
| Sligo | Mid-East | Kildare | ||
| Meath | ||||
| Midland | Laois | Wicklow | ||
| Longford | Mid-West | Clare | ||
| Offaly | Limerick City | |||
| Westmeath | Limerick County | |||
| North Tipperary | ||||
| West | Galway City | |||
| Galway County | South-East | Carlow | ||
| Mayo | Kilkenny | |||
| Roscommon | South Tipperary | |||
| Waterford City | ||||
| Waterford County | ||||
| Wexford | ||||
| South-West | Cork City | |||
| Cork County | ||||
| Kerry | ||||
While the main purpose of the QNHS is the production of quarterly labour force estimates, there is also a provision for the collection of data on social topics through the inclusion of special survey modules. The selection of the major national modules undertaken to date has been largely based on the results of a canvass of users (over 100 organisations) that was conducted by the CSO in 1996, 2002, 2006, 2009 and most recently 2011. The results of the canvass are presented to the National Statistics Board and they are asked to indicate their priorities for the years ahead.
The schedule for social modules in any given year is based on the following structure:
Quarter 1 Accidents and Illness module and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Survey
Quarter 2 EU module (always covered under EU legislation)
Quarter 3 National module
Quarter 4 National module
Some of the latest social modules published from the QNHS are:
Q2 2016 Households and Family Units
Q2 2016 QNHS Union Membership
Q4 2015 Pensions
Q3 2015 Crime and Victimisation
Q2 2015 Households and Family Units
More historical social modules published are available at:
http://www.cso.ie/en/qnhs/releasesandpublications/qnhs-specialmodules/qnhs-specialmodulesarchive/
The Central Statistics Office wishes to thank the participating households for their co-operation in agreeing to take part in the survey and for facilitating the collection of the relevant data.
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http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/eda/educationalattainmentthematicreport2017/
Show Table 1 Percentage of persons aged 15-64, classified by sex and the highest level of education attained, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017
Hide Table 1 Percentage of persons aged 15-64, classified by sex and the highest level of education attained, Q2 2015 - Q2 2017