Some 9 per cent of those aged between 18 and 24 left school after the Junior Cert, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The survey found unemployment among this group was double that of those who completed the Leaving Cert and/or third level. It also found that only 21 per cent of early school leavers are in employment.
The CSO survey says the drop out rate from Irish schools has improved from 13 per cent in 2004; it is now at the EU average. But the drop out rate among boys remains relatively high at 11 per cent.
Overall, the survey points to increasing educational attainment among most Irish adults. It also shows a clear link between educational background and employment status.
The proportion of persons who reported having a third level qualification increased across all age groups between 2000 and 2011.
The largest increase was recorded in the 35 to 44 year age group where there was an increase of 21 percentage points, from 22 per cent in 2000 to 43 per cent in 2011.
The main findings include;
- Over one third of 25-64 year olds have a third level qualification;
- Those with a third level qualification were almost twice as likely to be in the labour force (87 per cent) compared to those with at most primary level education (46 per cent);
- Females aged 25 to 64 with a third level qualification were almost three times as likely to be in the labour force (83 per cent) compared to females with at most primary level of education (30 per cent).
- The proportion of those aged 25 to 64 with a third level qualification was 38 per cent;
- Ten per cent of those aged 25 to 64 had attained at most primary level education.
- Employment rates clearly increased as the level of education attained increased with an employment rate of 35 per cent in for persons with at most primary level education - compared with an employment rate of 81 per cent for those with a third level qualification.
- Those aged 25 to 64 with at most primary education were over three times more likely to be unemployed (24 per cent) when compared with those who had attained a third level qualification (7 per cent).
The overall trend is particularly marked evident in 25 to 34 age group where those with at most primary education are almost seven times more likely to be unemployed (55 per cent) than those with a third level qualification (8 per cent).
Overall, the proportion of those aged 15-24 in Ireland classified as “students” has increased from 51 per cent in 2007 to 62 per cent, this year; this reflects the tightening employment market and the increased take up of postgraduate options.
Historically females aged 15-24 were more likely than their male counterparts to be classified as students. But this year, there is a higher proportion of males classified as students.
In 2011, almost four in ten (38 per cent) of 25-64 year olds had attained a third level qualification compared with three in ten (30 per cent) in 2005.
Over the period 2000 to 2011 females aged 25-64 have consistently had a greater percentage with a third level qualification than males.
The gap has doubled to 6 percentage points in 2011 (41 per cent of females compared with 35 per cent of males) since 2005.
