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Published: 18 June 2019

Number of students in upper secondary general education decreased slightly

According to Statistics Finland's education statistics, a total of 103,400 students attended upper secondary general school education leading to a qualification in 2018. The number of students decreased by 0.3 per cent from the previous year. A total of 30,400 matriculation examinations were completed, which was 200 higher than one year before. Fifty-eight per cent of the students and passers of the matriculation examination were women.

Students in upper secondary general education and matriculation examinations 2008–2018

Upper secondary general education was provided in 384 educational institutions. There were 336 upper secondary general schools, which is four fewer than one year earlier. Education in Swedish was offered in 36 upper secondary schools and six per cent of the students in upper secondary general school education studied at these schools.

Of all students, 1,937 studied for an international matriculation examination. The International Baccalaureate examination was passed by 470 students in 17 upper secondary schools, the European Baccalaureate examination by 9 students at the European School of Helsinki, and the Reifeprüfung by 29 students in the Helsingin saksalainen koulu (the German School of Helsinki).

From 2008 to 2018, the number of educational institutions providing upper secondary general school education has fallen by 65. Over the same period, the number of students in upper secondary general school has diminished by 9 per cent. The number of matriculation examinations has gone down by seven per cent in ten years. Throughout the 2000s, over one-half of the students and passers of the matriculation examination have been women.

Source: Education, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Leena Halinen 029 551 3288, koulutustilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

Publication in pdf-format (214.1 kB)

Tables

Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Students and completed qualifications in upper secondary general education 2018 (18.6.2019)
• Appendix table 2. Students in upper secondary general education by region in 2018 (18.6.2019)
• Appendix table 3. Students in upper secondary general education and completers of matriculation examination in 2001 to 2018 (18.6.2019)

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Updated 18.6.2019