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Published: 20 March 2014

Number of employed students decreased

According to Statistics Finland's Education Statistics, employment among students decreased by three percentage points in 2012 from the previous year. Still more than one-half of students were employed during their studies. Employment during studies was most widespread among university students, as 58 per cent of them had an employment contract while studying. The share of students employed during polytechnic studies was 57 per cent, and employment among students in upper secondary vocational education was 53 per cent.

Shares of employed students aged at least 18 of all students in 2008–2012

Women worked while studying more frequently than men: 57 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men had an employment contract while studying. The proportion of employed women in upper secondary general education and in polytechnic education was ten percentage points higher than that of men. One-third of women in upper secondary general education were working alongside studies. Sixty per cent of women studying for a vocational qualification were working.

Employment during studies grew more widespread the older the students were. Twenty-four per cent of 18-year-old students, 43 per cent of 21-year-old students and 54 per cent of 24-year-old students had an employment contract. Among students aged 25 or over, 66 per cent were employed during their studies.

Employment of students during studies varied by field of education. Sixty-five per cent of students in the fields of social sciences, and business and administration, 61 per cent of students in the fields of health, welfare and sports and 56 per cent of students in the fields of humanities and education had a valid employment contract at the end of 2012.

Employment during studies was more common than the average for the whole country in the regions of Uusimaa, Ostrobothnia, Kanta-Häme and Varsinais-Suomi, and in Åland. Over 60 per cent of students in the regions of Uusimaa and Åland were working.

Other statistics also indicate that studying was more interesting than in the year before. The pass rate improved in tertiary level education and discontinuation of education decreased. More information is available from statistics describing Progress of studies and Discontinuation of education .

Source: Education. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Anna Loukkola 09 1734 3678, koulutustilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Riitta Harala

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Employment of students aged at least 18 years in 2012 and the share of employed students of all students in 2005-2012 (20.3.2014)
• Appendix table 2. Employment of students aged at least 18 by level of education and gender in 2012 (20.3.2014)
• Appendix table 3. Students and employed students aged at least 18 years by level of education and age in 2012 (20.3.2014)

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Updated 20.3.2014