The increase of 25-64 year olds with tertiary education continues from 2015, but they were about 40% (68,300) in 2016. Since 2010, there has been a steady increase, in all 7.8 percentage points. Those who had only completed basic education last year were about 22% in this same age group. This is a decrease by 3.4 percentage points.
More 25-64 year old men than women have at most completed upper secondary education (45% against 30%), with a similar increase for both genders from the previous year. On the other hand, more women than men in this same age group have completed tertiary education (48% against 33%). Only a small difference exists between genders for those who have only completed basic education, about 22% for each group.
Unemployment was highest among those who have completed upper secondary education
Unemployment in the age group 25-64 years decreased from the previous year, regardless of the education level. Unemployment in 2016 for this age group was highest among those who had completed upper secondary education, 2.8%, and lowest among those with tertiary education. The unemployment rate was 2.3% among people with basic education.
In 2016, the labour force participation rate for men and women aged 25-64 years was highest among those who had completed tertiary education, about 95%, whereas roughly 91% of those who had completed upper secondary education and 81% of those who had completed basic education took part in the labour market.
Fewer inhabitants outside the capital region have tertiary education
In total, 28.5% of inhabitants aged 25-64 years outside the capital region had completed tertiary education in 2016. This is a somewhat lower proportion than for inhabitants in the capital region in the same age group (47.3%). Most of those living outside the capital area have completed upper secondary education, 38.8% (24,100), but 32.7% have solely completed basic education (20,200).
More women than men in the age group 25-64 years had completed tertiary education, regardless of whether people live in or outside the capital region.
However, the difference is greater for inhabitants in the capital region, where 38.5% of women have completed tertiary education but 18.8% of men.
About the data
The data are based on the Statistics Iceland Labour Force Survey. The Labour Force Survey is based on international definitions and standards. The sample frame includes all Icelandic and foreign citizens aged 16–74 who are registered in the National register of the population and residing in Iceland. The total sample size in 2016 was 15,783. When those who had passed away and those who were living abroad had been deducted from the sample the net sample was 15,319 persons. The total number of usable answers was 11,220 which correspond to a 73.2% response rate. All results have been weighted by age and sex.