Educational attainment of the Austrian population
Development of the educational attainment
The development of the educational attainment in the last years and decades (between 1971 and 2009) shows a general rise of the attainment level of the Austrian population. While in 1971 still 58.7% of the Austrian population between 25 and 64 had completed only compulsory education, in 2009 this share was only 19.5%. All forms of education subsequent to compulsory schooling show significant gains. Since 1971 the percentage/proportion of persons who gained a BMS degree (intermediate technical and vocational school) or a ‘Matura’ (secondary school leaving certificate or diploma of a higher technical and vocational college, both qualifying for university admission) as their highest degree more than doubled. However, especially remarkable is the rise of the university degrees. While in 1971 only 2.8% of the Austrian population between 25 and 64 years had an university degree, in 2009 the percentage was nearly four times higher (11.1%).
In recent decades, concerning educational attainment, especially women caught up. In 1971 still 70.4% of the female population between 25 and 64 years only had finished compulsory schooling. In 2009 this quota was only 24.2%. However, there is still a remarkable gender difference: in 2009 only 14.7% of the male population had no degree higher than compulsory education.
The register of educational attainment
The register of educational attainment contains information about the formal education degrees of the Austrian population of the age of 15 years and older. It was initialised with data on the highest educational attainment from the population census 2001 and has been updated since with degrees achieved at Austrian schools and universities as well as data reported by the economic chamber and the agricultural chambers (apprenticeship examination, master craftsman examination), and the Federal Ministry of Health (diploma of perfusionists). In addition, the Public Employment Service (AMS) annually informs about the educational attainment of the recipients of benefits. From the central population register information is taken about the place of residence, citizenship and possible academic title). The educational attainment of immigrants who came to Austria after 2001 and neither achieved a degree in Austria afterwards nor got in contact with the Public Employment Service (AMS) is estimated.
Please consult our German website for tables and charts containing further information.
| Results (overview): educational attainment |  |  |  |
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For the time being, only data free of charge are being provided, for more detailed information please look at the respective database!
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