Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training

Definition

Percentage of youth and adults in a given age range (e.g. 15-24 years, 25-64 years, etc.) participating in formal or non-formal education or training in a given time period (e.g. last 12 months). Formal education and training is defined as education provided by the system of schools, colleges, universities and other formal educational institutions that normally constitutes a continuous ‘ladder’ of full-time education for children and young people, generally beginning at the age of 5 to 7 and continuing to up to 20 or 25 years old. In some countries, the upper parts of this ‘ladder’ are organized programmes of joint part-time employment and part-time participation in the regular school and university system. Non-formal education and training is defined as any organized and sustained learning activities that do not correspond exactly to the above definition of formal education. Non-formal education may therefore take place both within and outside educational institutions and cater to people of all ages. Depending on national contexts, it may cover educational programmes to impart adult literacy, life-skills, work-skills, and general culture.

Data source

Administrative data from schools and other places of education and training or household survey data on participants in formal and non-formal education and training by single year of age; population censuses and surveys for population estimates by single year of age (if using administrative data on enrolment).

Source definition

UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Calculation method

The number of people in selected age groups participating in formal or non-formal education or training is expressed as a percentage of the population of the same age.

Data required

Numbers of participants by single year of age in formal and non-formal education and training; population estimates by single year of age.

Interpretation

A high value indicates that a large share of the population in the relevant age group has access to and takes part in formal and non-formal education and training.

Limitations

Formal and non-formal education and training can be offered in a variety of settings including schools and universities, workplace environments and others and can have a variety of durations. Administrative data often capture only provision in formal settings such as schools and universities. Participation rates do not capture the intensity or quality of the provision nor the outcomes of the education and training on offer.

Purpose

To show the level of participation of youth and adults in education and training of all types.

Types of disaggregation

By age and sex from administrative sources; and by age, sex, location and income from household surveys and others as available.