Education & Employment
More and more young people are staying in education longer. Between 1998 and 2011, the percentage of young people in higher education in England increased from 30% to 38%. In Wales, the percentage of young people in higher education rose from 31% to 34%, and in Scotland, from 40% to 45%. This increase isn't limited to just degree programmes, there has also been an increase in the number of young people starting apprenticeships as well as older people enrolling in life long learning programmes or retraining.
In previous generations many people retired at 65. However, as we live longer and healthier we may need to extend our working lives in order to sustain public pension programmes and to keep ourselves active. Retaining older people in the workforce, with their knowledge and experience, benefits employers and younger co-workers. Employers can improve the workplace for older workers by increasing job flexibility, allowing part-time work and freelance contracts. Employers also need to adapt workspaces and may have to adjust the physicality of certain jobs - such as construction or nursing – to accommodate people working at older ages. Given some small changes to work expectations, people can continue to have fulfilling working lives as they grow older.
On the OECD map below, you can see the employment rates for degree educated 25-64 year olds in different countries.
1. In the USA, what percentage of people aged 25 to 64 who had degree level education or above were employed in 2017?
2. In the UK, what percentage of people aged 25 to 64 who had degree level education or above were employed in 2017?
3. Can you find the country with the highest rate of employment for degree educated 25 to 64 year olds in 2017?