EU share of population with a degree by age 2023

In 2023, 43 percent of people in the European Union aged between 25 and 34 had a degree. For the population aged between 20 and 24 as a whole, the figure was 19 percent.

Share of those with tertiary educational attainment in the European Union from 2002 to 2023, by age group

Characteristic	20 to 24 years	25 to 34 years	35 to 44 years	45 to 54 years	55 to 64 years
2023	19.2%	43.1%	41%	32.8%	25%
2022	18.7%	42%	39.9%	31.8%	24.3%
2021*	18.6%	41.4%	39.4%	30.7%	24%
2020	17.5%	40.6%	38.5%	29.6%	23.5%
2019	17%	39.6%	37.1%	28.3%	22.6%
2018	16.3%	38.7%	36%	27.1%	21.9%
2017	16%	37.6%	34.9%	26.1%	21.4%
2016	15.7%	36.8%	33.9%	25.4%	20.7%
2015	15.3%	36.5%	33%	24.6%	20.3%
2014*	15.2%	35.9%	31.8%	23.7%	19.8%
2013	14.6%	35.1%	30.4%	23.4%	19.5%
2012	13.9%	34.1%	29.1%	22.7%	18.9%
2011	13.1%	33%	27.9%	21.9%	18.5%
2010	12.6%	32.2%	26.7%	21.3%	17.9%
2009	12.1%	31.2%	25.6%	20.7%	17.5%
2008	12.1%	29.9%	24.6%	20.1%	17%
2007	11.7%	28.9%	23.6%	19.6%	16.5%
2006	11.7%	28.1%	22.9%	19.3%	16.1%
2005	11.4%	27.2%	22.5%	19.1%	15.9%
2004	11.3%	26.3%	22%	18.7%	15.3%
2003	10.8%	24.6%	20.9%	17.9%	14.4%
2002	10.1%	23.1%	19.9%	17.4%	13.6%

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Release date

July 2024

More information

Region

Europe, EU

Survey time period

2002 to 2023

Age group

30-34 years

Supplementary notes

* Break in time series.

The educational attainment level of an individual is the highest ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education) level successfully completed, the successful completion of an education program being validated by a recognized qualification, i.e. a qualification officially recognized by the relevant national education authorities or recognized as equivalent to another qualification of formal education. In countries where education programs, in particular those belonging to ISCED levels 1 and 2, do not lead to a qualification the criterion of full attendance of the program and normally gaining access to a higher level of education may have to be used instead. When determining the highest level, both general and vocational education should be taken into consideration. The ISCED definition of education includes training. Data on educational attainment level exclude persons who did not answer to the question 'highest level of education or training successfully completed'.

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