Educational attainment in the adult population

Indicator Description

Distribution of the population aged 25 to 64 years-old by highest qualification.

What We Have Found

The proportion of the population aged 25 to 64 with a tertiary qualification has continued to increase.

Why This Is Important

Higher educational attainment, in terms of recognised qualifications, is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including better income, employment, and health. As the requirements for many jobs and the expectations of employers are rising, education that provides the necessary skills and knowledge has become essential for full participation in society and for a productive workforce. Education also contributes to an expansion of scientific and cultural knowledge, and a population’s educational levels are positively related to economic growth rates and so to a country’s capacity to provide its citizens with a high standard of living.

This indicator examines the highest level of education completed or achieved within the 25-64 age group. This is often considered a proxy for ‘human capital’, that is, the skills and knowledge in the core working-age population. Changes in educational attainment provide information about access to education and the equity of the education system, and serve as a backdrop to current participation and completion rates.

How We Are Going

In 2004, 18% of all 25 to 64 year-olds in New Zealand had a tertiary type-A qualification or above. This figure is slightly below the OECD average across 30 countries, though lower than the United States (30%), Canada (23%), Australia (22%), and the United Kingdom (21%).

Educational attainment (standardised¹ percentages) of the population aged 25 to 64 for selected countries, by highest level of qualification (2004)

Note:

1. Percentages are standardised using the World Health Organization (WHO) World standard population distribution.
2. Source: OECD Education at a Glance (2006).

However, at the other end of the spectrum, the percentage of New Zealanders aged 25 to 64 with a qualification below upper secondary (22%) was substantially lower than the OECD country mean of 32%. This rate was also much lower than Australia and the United Kingdom (both 35%).

The proportion of the population aged 25 to 64 with a tertiary qualification has continued to increase, from 52% in 1997 to 58% in 2006. All of this growth has been in degree and postgraduate qualifications, increasing from 12% in 1997 to 19% in 2006.

Educational attainment (standardised¹ percentages) of the population aged 25 to 64 for selected countries, by highest level of qualification (2004)
Note:

1. Percentages are standardised using the World Health Organization (WHO) World standard population distribution.
2. Source: Household Labour Force Surveys 1997-2006, Statistics New Zealand.
   

Over the same period, the percentage of 25 to 64 year-olds with no qualification has decreased from 27% to 22%, a reduction of 18%, though this percentage has been stable since 2002.

Estimated percentage of population aged 25–64 with a degree or above as highest qualification, by ethnic group (1997–2006)
Notes:

1. Source: Household Labour Force Surveys 1997-2006, Statistics New Zealand.

Non-Māori, non-Pasifika have the highest percentage of people aged 25 to 64 with a degree or postgraduate qualification. In 2006, almost 22% of non-Māori, non-Pasifika held a bachelors degree or above compared with 8.4% of Māori and 7.6% of Pasifika. However, the growth in degree or postgraduate qualifications has been highest for Pasifika and Māori, with rates in 2006 being approximately 3 times those in 1997. These growth rates compare with only a 66% increase for non-Māori, non-Pasifika over the same time period, implying that the disparities between ethnic groups have reduced.

Estimated percentage of population aged 25–64 with Other Tertiary (below degree level) as highest qualification, by ethnic group (1997–2006)

Notes:

1. Source: Household Labour Force Surveys 1997-2006, Statistics New Zealand.
   

For tertiary qualifications below degree level, the highest level of growth has occurred for Māori (13% increase since 1997). This is consistent with the patterns of and growth rates of Māori participation in tertiary education. In 2006, the proportion of the Māori population aged 25 to 64 with a tertiary qualification below degree level as the highest qualification (37%) was approaching the proportion for non-Māori, non-Pasifika (40%).

Where To Find Out More

The following outcome and participation indicators should also be considered in conjunction with Educational attainment in the adult population:

• Completion of tertiary education
• Tertiary student progression
• Tertiary student retention
• Education expectancy
• Participation rates in tertiary education.

References

Ministry of Education (2006). Tertiary Education Strategy 2002/07: Monitoring Report 2005. Wellington, Ministry of Education.

OECD (2006). Education at a Glance: OECD indicators 2006. Paris, OECD.