Levels of Highest Qualification held by Working Age Adults, 2010

Statistics on qualification levels held by working age adults(1) include data for Wales and all other UK countries for the period up to the end of December 2010. The latest release updates the statistics previously released on 28 July 2010.

The key points for 2010 are:

• Overall, qualification levels in Wales increased in 2010, continuing the general increase seen in recent years.
• An estimated 12 per cent of working age adults in Wales reported having no qualifications, compared with 14 per cent in 2009.
• 72 per cent of working age adults in Wales held at least level 2 qualifications compared with 71 per cent in 2009.
• The proportion holding degree-level qualifications (NQF levels 4 or above) was 31 per cent compared with 30 per cent in 2009.
• In general, qualification levels were highest in Monmouthshire, Cardiff and Ceredigion and lowest in the South Wales valleys authorities.
• In general, qualification levels in Wales were lower than in England, Scotland and the UK as a whole, but higher than in Northern Ireland.

This information is derived from the Annual Population Survey, which has been reweighted in line with the latest population estimates. Therefore estimates of qualification levels of working age adults for the years 2004 to 2009 have been revised accordingly. The size of these revisions are negligible.

(1) Working age adults for this purpose refers to males aged 18-64 and females aged 18-59.

Summary tables containing further information on qualification levels for Wales and Unitary Authorities within Wales are available on StatsWales.

An update of the Statistical Bulletin "The Levels of Highest Qualification held by Working Age Adults in Wales", containing more detailed analysis of the final data, is due to be published in October.

Further information

StatsWales website.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 5378
Email: post16ed.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

July 2012 (provisional - to be confirmed on 'Due out Soon' page)