More females than males had attained higher levels of education

In the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (2010 CPH), the highest educational attainment was asked for persons aged 5 years old and over. The household population in this age bracket was recorded at 81.9 million, comprising 88.9 percent of the total household population in the country.

Of the total household population aged five years and over, 19.1 percent had finished at most high school, 11.7 percent completed at most elementary education, 10.1 percent were academic degree holders, and 2.7 percent were post secondary graduates. Among those with college/academic degrees, females (56.1 percent) outnumbered males (43.9 percent). Similarly, there were more females (58.0 percent) than males (42.0 percent) among those with post baccalaureate courses.

The educational attainment of the population in the country had improved since year 2000. The proportions of graduates of both secondary and tertiary (college) levels had increased from 2000 to 2010. In 2010, high school graduates accounted for 19.1 percent compared to only 12.9 percent in 2000. College graduates increased from 4.3 percent in 2000 to 10.1 percent in 2010. On the other hand, the proportion of those with no grade completed had decreased from 8.3 percent to 4.0 percent.

                                                      Source: National Statistics Office, 2010 Census of Population and Housing

About 4 in every 5 children aged 6 to 12 years had elementary education

Among children 6 to 12 years old, 81.1 percent had reached or finished at most elementary education while 5.6 percent had no grade completed. More than two-thirds (68.8 percent) of the household population aged 13 to 16 years reached or completed at most high school. About 36.3 percent of the persons aged 17 to 24 years had post secondary and college education.

Those who had not completed any grade or level of schooling among the secondary and tertiary school age population comprised less than 2.0 percent. Among aged 13 to 16 years old, 1.2 percent had no grade/year completed while among those aged 17 to 24 years, 1.1 percent had no grade completed. On the other hand, of the household population 25 years old and over, 2.5 percent had no grade/year completed.

                                   Source: National Statistics Office, 2010 Census of Population and Housing

One in four college graduates finished a degree on Business and Administration

In 2010, a degree on Business and Administration was received by 26.9 percent of college graduates. About one-fifth (19.3 percent) of the total college graduates finished a course in the field of Teacher Training and Education Sciences while 13.7 percent were degree holders of Engineering and Engineering Trades programs.

Programs on business and on education have consistently been the most popular among college students in the last two decades. Among college graduates under the age of 40 years, 23.5 percent had a degree on Business and Administration, 16.8 percent were graduates of Teacher Training and Education Sciences programs, and 13.6 percent were graduates of Health programs.  On the other hand, among those college graduates aged 40 years and above, 32.5 percent finished a degree on Business and Administration, 23.5 percent graduated with a degree on Teacher Training and Education Sciences, and 15.8 percent were graduates of Engineering and Engineering Trades programs.

Males preferred Engineering courses while females opted for Business and Administration courses

The most popular academic field for males was Engineering and Engineering Trades, with graduates of this program comprising 25.9 percent of the total male college graduates. On the other hand, the most common field for females was Business and Administration with 31.3 percent of the total female college graduates having a degree on this field.