HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINMENT
Do you know…
that most young adults have at least ten years’ education?
In 2000, 82 per cent of residents aged 25–34 years had obtained secondary or higher qualifications (Table 1). Reflecting Singapore’s strong education system, the proportions of polytechnic and university graduates among this group had improved significantly over the decade – from 5 per cent to 11 per cent for polytechnic graduates and from 7 per cent to 24 per cent for university graduates.
While the older adults were not as well-qualified as the younger ones, the proportions with at least secondary qualifications were still quite high – at 63 per cent amongst those aged 35–44 years and 47 per cent for those aged 45–54 years. However, relatively lower proportions of the older adults were polytechnic and university graduates.
Table 1 Highest Qualification Attained for Age Groups 25-54 years
| Highest Qualification Attained |
25–34 |
35–44 |
45–54 |
1990 |
2000 |
1990 |
2000 |
1990 |
2000 |
| Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
| No Qualification |
12.2 |
4.3 |
23.9 |
9.7 |
49.7 |
19.8 |
| Primary |
31.2 |
14.1 |
35.2 |
27.1 |
27.4 |
32.7 |
| Secondary |
36.9 |
25.7 |
26.3 |
30.9 |
13.6 |
26.1 |
| Upper Secondary |
7.6 |
20.6 |
7.0 |
15.1 |
4.6 |
12.5 |
| Polytechnic |
4.9 |
10.9 |
2.4 |
4.7 |
1.2 |
2.1 |
| University |
7.2 |
24.4 |
5.2 |
12.4 |
3.5 |
6.7 |
Younger females are as well-qualified as their male counterparts. In 2000, 81 per cent of females aged 25–34 years and 62 per cent of those aged 35–44 years had at least secondary qualifications (Chart 1). The corresponding proportions for the males were 82 per cent and 64 per cent. There was greater education disparity between males and females in the older age groups.
Chart 1 Proportion with at least Secondary Education, 2000
Last updated: 30 Jun 2007
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