In 2024, Cyprus ranked third in the EU regarding tertiary education completion rates, achieving 60.1%. This impressive figure places the nation behind only Ireland, which leads at 65.2%, and Luxembourg at 63.8%, according to data from Eurostat.
The tertiary education completion rate reflects the percentage of individuals aged 25 to 34 who have successfully obtained a higher education qualification. This metric serves as a key indicator of progress towards the fourth Sustainable Development Goal, which emphasises the importance of quality education for all.
The EU as a whole has also shown commendable progress, with the tertiary education completion rate rising to 44.1% in 2024. This marks a notable increase from 39.6% in 2019, suggesting that the EU is on course to meet its 2030 target of achieving at least 45%.
However, the statistics reveal disparities among member states. Romania, Italy, and Hungary reported the lowest completion rates, standing at 23.2%, 31.6%, and 32.3% respectively. Such figures highlight the varying levels of educational achievement across the continent.
Gender differences in educational attainment also present a significant concern. Across the EU, women recorded a completion rate of 49.8%, while men lagged behind at 38.6%. This trend indicates that young women are outpacing their male counterparts in obtaining tertiary qualifications.
Some countries exhibit a pronounced gender gap. Slovenia, for example, shows a staggering difference of over 20 percentage points, with women achieving a completion rate of 55.7% compared to just 32% for men. Similar gaps are evident in Latvia, Estonia, and Croatia, where young women consistently exceed young men in educational attainment.
As Cyprus continues to excel in educational achievements, the importance of access to quality education remains paramount. The focus now shifts to maintaining these high standards and addressing the existing inequalities, particularly in gender representation within higher education.
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