Indicator 10: Educational attainment

Educational attainment in the adult population – defined as distribution of the population aged 25-64 years-old by highest qualification.^[1]

Higher educational attainment, in terms of recognised qualifications, is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including better income, employment, and health.^[2]

People are asked about their highest educational attainment in the census, so information is available by age, sex, and ethnicity.

Statistics New Zealand produced a series of “quick stats” on a number of topics after the 2006 census, including one on education and training^[3] and another on highest educational attainment.^[4]

We used this data to produce Figure 1, which shows highest educational attainment by age group and sex. It shows that:

• among people aged 65+:
  • proportionally more women had no qualifications, a level 1 certificate, a level 2 certificate, a level 6 diploma, an overseas secondary qualification, or other qualification; and
  • proportionally more men had a level 3 or 4 certificate, a level 5 diploma, a level 7 qualification or a bachelors, post-graduate and honours, masters, or doctorate degree.  
• proportionally fewer men and women aged 25-64 had no qualifications, an overseas secondary qualification, or other qualification compared to people aged 65+; this pattern was also true for women with a level 6 diploma.

The 2006 census data is not easily compared to data from the 2001 and 1996 censuses because of changes in the qualifications framework and questions. It should be possible to compare the 2006 and 2013 census data, once the 2013 data is available.

Census information is published for general use.

The Ministry of Education’s 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.

• Statistics New Zealand – for census data.
• Ministry of Education – for educational participation and achievement.