Over half of adults have third-level education
Ireland was well above the EU27 average for third level attainment across all age groupings, CSO data shows.
The figures show that over half (59%) of 25-64 year-olds in Q2 this year had a third level education, an increase from 58% in Q2 2025.
The 25 to 34 year-old age group had the highest level of third level attainment at 66% in 2026, followed by the 35 to 44 year olds at 64%.
Employed
In Q2, 84% of females aged 25 to 64 with a third level qualification were employed.
More than nine in ten (92%) males aged 25 to 64 with a third level education were in employment in Q2.
Females across all age groupings (20 to 64) had higher levels of third level attainment than males in Q2.
Dublin was the region with the highest level of third level attainment for those aged 25 to 64 at 70%, while the lowest was the midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath) region at 48%.
Around 3% of people aged between 25 to 64 had just a primary school education or no formal education in Q2.