Key points
This indicator measures the highest level of education or qualification attained for adults (aged 15 years or over). Measuring the qualification levels of a city’s population aged 15 years and over helps to identify the job readiness of the future labour force. An educated population adds to the vibrancy and creativity of communities and is needed to remain competitive in the global economy. Higher educational attainment, in terms of recognised qualifications, is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including better income, employment, and health.
- Over the period 1996 to 2006 there was a general increase in the proportion of the adult population in the Waikato Region with post-compulsory academic qualifications, including vocational qualifications (up from 20.7% to 24.8% of adults), Bachelor degrees (up from 4.8% to 8.8%) and higher degrees (up from 2.4% to 3.5%).
- However, the Waikato Region still has a slightly below average proportion of adults with either a secondary school qualification or degree qualification. There is considerable variation throughout the Region, with more people having higher qualifications in Hamilton City compared to surrounding rural and provincial areas.
- More frequent sample data to 2009 confirms the regional trend above, and shows the proportion of Waikato Region adults with at least upper secondary school level education is slightly behind the national average.
- There has been considerable growth in the proportion of people with tertiary qualifications (bachelor’s degree or higher) at both the regional and national level.
Highest qualification for usually resident population of the Waikato Region aged 15 years and over
Source: Statistics New Zealand Census
Notes: Denominator excludes "not elsewhere included". Changes to classifications mean that comparisons over time should be treated with some caution. For the purpose of this analysis (1) Fifth Form Qualification = Level 1 Certificate Gained at School; (2) Sixth Form Qualification = Level 2 Certificate Gained at School; (3) Higher School Qualification = Level 3 or 4 Certificate Gained at School; (4) Other/Overseas Secondary School Qualification = Overseas Secondary Qualification; (5) Vocational Qualification = Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 Certificate Gained Post-School or Level 5 or 6 Diploma; (6) Bachelor Degree = Bachelor Degree & Level 7 Qualifications; (7) Higher Degree = Post-Graduate and Honours Degree, Masters Degree or Doctorate Degree.
Percentage of adults aged 25-64 years with higher qualifications, selected years
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waikato Region |
New Zealand |
Waikato Region |
New Zealand |
| 1986 |
51.1% |
56.4% |
3.2% |
5.4% |
| 1991 |
59.2% |
62.2% |
6.0% |
8.2% |
| 1993 |
63.4% |
67.9% |
8.3% |
10.3% |
| 2001 |
69.6% |
72.4% |
9.3% |
13.1% |
| 2002 |
71.5% |
72.9% |
9.7% |
13.9% |
| 2003 |
73.1% |
74.2% |
11.9% |
15.3% |
| 2004 |
72.3% |
74.8% |
12.4% |
16.7% |
| 2005 |
72.8% |
75.2% |
13.8% |
19.0% |
| 2006 |
72.9% |
74.3% |
15.8% |
19.2% |
| 2007 |
74.2% |
75.7% |
17.6% |
21.4% |
| 2008 |
74.2% |
75.2% |
17.3% |
21.2% |
| 2009 |
75.0% |
75.3% |
18.3% |
22.0% |
Source: Statistics New Zealand Household Labour Force Survey via MSD Social Report.
Note: Regional-level sample estimates have high sampling error.
What agencies are doing
Information currently being collated.
What you can do to help
Information currently being collated.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcomes we are seeking to achieve by improving the educational attainment of the adult population are:
- Education provides opportunities so we can reach our full potential as individuals and contribute to the well-being of the whole region.
- Maori enjoy the same quality of health, education, housing, employment and economic outcomes as non-Maori.