To make informed judgments about where to make investments in their education and training, people need indicators on how the demand for qualifications is likely to develop in the future.
The indicator below is defined as projected employment (in 2020) for individuals with medium (ISCED 3-4) and high-level (ISCED 5-8) qualifications (as % of total employment). Level of qualifications refers to the education level of individuals who will be employed and not to the education requirements of their jobs.
Figure 36: Medium/high-qualified employment in 2025 (% of total) (2016 projection)
Source: Cedefop medium-term projections of future skill demand.
Key points
Data from the Cedefop medium-term projections of future skill demand show that, in 2025, most of total employment in the EU (84.6%) is projected to be taken by individuals with medium- and high-level qualifications. Those with medium-level qualifications will continue to constitute almost half of total employment (46.5%). Those with high-level qualifications will account for 38.1%. Only a remaining 15.4% of total employment will be left for individuals with low qualifications.
In almost all countries, a share of 75% or more of total employment will be accounted for by those with medium- or high-level qualifications. Among the EU Member States, the share is projected to be lower than 75% only in Malta (74.1%), Spain (69.8%), and Portugal (52.1%).
Among the non-EU countries for which projections are available, the share of total employment that will be accounted for by those with medium- or high-level qualifications in Switzerland is higher (at 89.7%) than the EU average. In Norway (at 70.8%) and in Iceland (at 68.5%) it is well below 75%.
Table 36: Projected employment of those with medium/high-level qualifications (% of total employment), 2025
Forecast made in 2016.
Source: Cedefop medium-term projections of future skill demand.
Data insights details
