10 answers, 5 from Ireland's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
70,411 students received their Leaving Certificate and Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programme results on 21 August 2026, according to the Department of Education and Youth. For the first time, students who completed the Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes received their results alongside their peers.
The figure covers the Leaving Certificate Established, Applied and Vocational Programme. The State Examinations Commission sends results to the CAO, which uses them to make college offers. Results of appeals were due on 25 September 2026.
90,866 offers of places in higher education were issued in CAO Round One on 26 August 2026, the highest number ever issued on that day, according to the Department of Further and Higher Education. 62,166 applicants received offers, including 56,618 Level 8 (honours degree) and 34,248 Level 7/6 course offers.
48% of Level 8 offers were for applicants' first preference course and 76% for one of their top three. Some applicants receive more than one offer, which is why offers exceed applicants. Further offers are made in later rounds as places are accepted or declined.
58% of people aged 25 to 64 in Ireland had a third-level education in the second quarter of 2025, up from 56% in 2024, according to the CSO Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2025, released on 25 September 2026. Among 25 to 34 year olds the share was 67%, compared with an EU-27 average of 45%.
Third-level attainment was highest in Dublin (68%) and lowest in the Midlands (46%). About 3% of 25 to 64 year olds had only primary education or none. The figures come from the Labour Force Survey and Eurostat.
Prices for education services in Ireland's Consumer Price Index were 8.9% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the CSO, reflecting higher costs for third-level education that took effect from October 2025.
The education services index covers fees paid by households, including the third-level student contribution. In Budget 2027, the Minister for Finance said the government is committed to reducing the Student Contribution Fee and aligned the disregard for income tax relief on third-level fees with the Student Contribution rate.
92% of men and 85% of women aged 25 to 64 with a third-level qualification were in employment in Ireland in the second quarter of 2025, according to the CSO Educational Attainment Thematic Report 2025.
Women in every age group from 20 to 64 had higher levels of third-level attainment than men. Employment rates for graduates are higher than for people with lower levels of education. The figures come from the Labour Force Survey and refer to people's highest completed level of education.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
95.8%: that is net primary school enrolment in Ireland for 2017, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 94.8% (2005) to 97.5% (2011). It is 21st highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 95.7%. Of 134 countries with 2017 data, 47th highest.
In 2022, gross secondary school enrolment in Ireland was 130.6%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 154.2%; its low point was 2006, at 109.6%. Europe & Central Asia median: 103.2%; Ireland is 5th highest of 48. Worldwide: 7th of 132.
77.6%: that is gross tertiary enrolment in Ireland for 2022, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 78.5% in 2021 and the low 54.0% in 2008. It is 18th highest of 48 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 74.0%. World rank, highest first: 25th of 119.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2021, is 2.9% of GDP. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.7% of GDP; Ireland is 45th highest of 48. Of 158 countries with 2021 data, 130th highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2022, is 93.7%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 38th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 98.5%. Of 127 countries with 2022 data, 84th highest.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error