Independent scientific data from Eurostat - which also included non-EU states - showed that the percentage of Scots holding post-secondary school qualifications continues to be the highest in Europe, ahead of the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg.
Scotland has been number one for the percentage of 25 to 64-year-olds educated to degree level in every single year between 2011 and 2019, the latest year for which figures are available.
There have also been substantial improvements since the SNP came into power; in 2019 the share of Scots with a post-secondary school degree was at 50.4% compared to only 36.1% in 2007.
Over the entire period for which comparative data is available, Scotland has had the largest increase amongst UK nations. From 2007 to 2019 Scotland’s performance has increased more, and has also been well ahead of, Tory England and Labour-run Wales.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“Having been a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee in the last Parliament, I am well aware of the significant progress that has been made with educating our people under consecutive SNP Governments.
“A university degree is not only an important milestone in life, it is also hugely important for attracting inward investment - another success story under the SNP.
“Our universities are continually ranked amongst the very best in the world and we have a reputation for innovation.
“While the opposition continue to talk down Scotland, the SNP will continue to support a highly-educated workforce ready to take its place on the world stage when we become an independent country.”
The Eurostat dataset can be accessed here.
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