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Educational Attainment in the Adult Population

 

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This indicator set looks at the accumulation of tertiary qualifications within the adult population. It provides a view of the cumulative effect of tertiary education over time. However, it is confounded historical and generational changes.

1.  Key indicators

The proportion of those aged 25–64 with a tertiary qualification has continued to increase, with the main growth being at degree and postgraduate level.

Distribution of the population aged 25–64 years by highest qualification 1997–2006

Source:Statistics New Zealand, Household Labour Force Survey

For the Māori population, the main growth in attainment has been at certificate level. There has been limited growth in qualifications in the Pasifika population.

Estimated percentage of population aged 25–64 with a degree or other tertiary qualification as highest qualification by ethnic group 1997–2006

Source:Statistics New Zealand, Household Labour Force Survey

The main growth in attainment of bachelor degrees and higher has been in those aged 25–39.

Percentage of each age group with a bachelors degree or above as highest qualification 1997–2006

Source:Statistics New Zealand, Household Labour Force Survey

The age group with the largest growth in terms of having a sub-degree qualification as their highest qualification has been those aged 65 and over.

Percentage of each age group with a tertiary sub-degree qualification as highest qualification 1997–2006

Source:Statistics New Zealand, Household Labour Force Survey

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2.  What has been reported

Baseline Monitoring Report

Educational Attainment in the Adult Population

Monitoring Report 2004

Educational Attainment in the Adult Population

Monitoring Report 2005

Educational Attainment in the Adult Population

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3.  Related information

Trends in the Contribution of Tertiary Education to the Accumulation of Educational Capital in New Zealand: 1981-2001

One of the key determinants of our country’s economic progress is the level of skills in our population, and one of the key ways we track skill levels is by looking at the educational qualifications of our population. This report analyses the accumulation of tertiary education qualifications in the New Zealand resident population over the period 1981 to 2001 using data from the Census and from other sources. The accumulation of qualifications is an index of the human educational capital.

Outcomes of the New Zealand tertiary education system

This report provides a synthesis of the evidence of the outcomes of the New Zealand tertiary education system. The report quotes a number of statistical studies completed over the last six years and also reproduces some previously published summaries of the evidence. Overall, the overwhelming weight of evidence points to there being significant and positive outcomes from the tertiary education system.

4.  Your Views

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• Table of Contents

• Cross-strategy Indicators

• Raise foundation skills

• Skills for our knowledge society

• Strengthen research and knowledge creation

• Te rautaki mātauranga Māori

• Pacific people’s development and success

• Capability and quality

• Technical and Data Definitions