Education in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: official figures
62.7% of working-age adults in Northern Ireland held qualifications at Level 3 (A level or Higher equivalent) or above in 2023, against 67.7% for the UK (2nd lowest of 12), up from 60.8% in 2022.
What percentage of people in Northern Ireland have no qualifications?
12.3% of 16 to 64 year olds in Northern Ireland had no qualifications at all in 2023, compared with 6.6% UK-wide; the highest share of the 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow much does Northern Ireland spend on education per pupil?
Public spending on education in Northern Ireland was £2,111 per person in 2024-25 (UK £1,772), 2nd highest of 12 UK nations and regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyWhat is the education budget of Northern Ireland?
Total identifiable education spending in Northern Ireland reached £4,070 million in 2024-25, 22.0% more in cash terms than the £3,335 million spent in 2020-21.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow many apprenticeships start in Northern Ireland each year?
There were 574 apprenticeship starts per 100,000 people in Northern Ireland in 2023-24, compared with 409 in 2022-23.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow Northern Ireland compares with other nations
Adults aged 16 to 64 with Level 3 or higher qualifications (%) (2023)
Northern Ireland ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults aged 16 to 64 with Level 3 or higher qualifications (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 64.8% |
| 7 | East of England | 64.7% |
| 8 | Wales | 64.6% |
| 9 | West Midlands | 63.6% |
| 10 | North East | 62.8% |
| 11 | Northern Ireland | 62.7% |
| 12 | East Midlands | 61.9% |
Adults aged 16 to 64 with no qualifications (%) (2023)
Northern Ireland ranks 1 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults aged 16 to 64 with no qualifications (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Ireland | 12.3% |
| 2 | Wales | 8.6% |
| 3 | North East | 8.5% |
| 4 | Scotland | 8.2% |
| 5 | East Midlands | 7.7% |
| 6 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 7.6% |
| 7 | West Midlands | 7.3% |
Public spending on education per head (£) (2024-25)
Northern Ireland ranks 2 of 12, highest first. Identifiable public expenditure on education, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on education per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotland | £2,129 |
| 2 | Northern Ireland | £2,111 |
| 3 | London | £1,896 |
| 4 | Wales | £1,850 |
| 5 | West Midlands | £1,815 |
| 6 | North East | £1,766 |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,737 |
More on Northern Ireland: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · the United Kingdom
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Explore Local Statistics: all datasets (spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)
- HM Treasury: Country and Regional Analysis 2025: A tables, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9a6a7af9e2bd…)
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