Distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland
Ireland: Distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment was 11.5% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland, 2003–2025
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.
Analysis
In 2025, distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland stood at 11.5%. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is down 5.7% on the previous year and down 44.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland peaked at 37.5% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 11.5%, in 2025.
Ireland ranks 33rd of 47 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Percentage | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 37.1% | — |
| 2004 | 37.5% | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 36.6% | -2.4% |
| 2006 | 34.7% | -5.2% |
| 2007 | 33.9% | -2.3% |
| 2008 | 33.3% | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 31.2% | -6.3% |
| 2010 | 29.8% | -4.5% |
| 2011 | 26.9% | -9.7% |
| 2012 | 24.8% | -7.8% |
| 2013 | 23.3% | -6.0% |
| 2014 | 22.3% | -4.3% |
| 2015 | 20.8% | -6.7% |
| 2016 | 19.8% | -4.8% |
| 2017 | 18.8% | -5.1% |
| 2018 | 16.0% | -14.9% |
| 2019 | 17.2% | +7.5% |
| 2020 | 12.9% | -25.0% |
| 2021 | 15.2% | +17.8% |
| 2022 | 14.0% | -7.9% |
| 2023 | 13.5% | -3.6% |
| 2024 | 12.2% | -9.6% |
| 2025 | 11.5% | -5.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 34.9% | 31.2% | 37.5% | 7 |
| 2010s | 22.0% | 16.0% | 29.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.2% | 11.5% | 15.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More population data for Ireland
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.68 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4488 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1157 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,725 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.5372 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1844 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Population density 76.73 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 217,052 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland?
- Distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment in Ireland was 11.5% in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 37.5% in 2004.
- What is the lowest distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.5% in 2025.
- How does Ireland rank for distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment?
- Ireland ranks 33rd out of 47 countries with data for 2025.
- Is distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 44.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Distribution of population aged 18 and over by educational attainment level and age group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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