What percentage of the UK population has a degree?
In the 2021 Census, 33.8% of usual residents aged 16 and over in England and Wales (16.4 million people) had a Level 4 qualification or above, which includes degrees, Higher National Diplomas and postgraduate qualifications, according to the ONS Education, England and Wales: Census 2021. London had the highest share at 46.7%; 18.2% of people had no qualifications.
The share is higher among younger adults. The DfE's participation measures show that 44.5% of the cohort who were 15 in 2013/14 had started a first degree by age 25.
"Level 4 or above" is wider than "a degree", and figures for all adults include older age groups with lower rates, so check which measure is used.
When is the next figure out?
HESA publishes its main student statistics early in the calendar year after the academic year ends, with finance data later. The Student Loans Company publishes its England release in June and separate releases for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. DfE releases on Explore Education Statistics go live at 9:30am and are pre-announced on the GOV.UK statistics calendar; student loan forecasts appear in the summer and apprenticeship figures several times a year. Home Office study visa figures are quarterly.
Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.
Where the figures come from
- Higher education and student finance statistics (HESA, Student Loans Company, Office for Students and DfE)Official figures on UK student numbers, international students, student loan debt, graduate earnings, university finances and apprenticeships.
Related questions
- How much do graduates earn in the UK?
- How many students are there in UK universities?
- Where can I find UK census data?
This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about universities and student finance: all Universities and student finance questions.