By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

CSO data

Claim: Achieving

4.1.1 In second class there were more boys (6.5%) than girls (3.8%) with reading proficiency levels below Level 1 in 2014. In sixth class there were more boys (6.2%) than girls (4%) with reading proficiency levels below Level 1. Ireland’s Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) shows the percentage of pupils reaching the intermediate, high and advanced benchmarks in 2016 are all significantly higher than the corresponding percentages in 2011. Student performance on PISA reading literacy in Ireland is characterised by an above-average percentage (12.1%) of high performers (Level 5 and 6), and a small below-average percentage (11.8%) of low performers (below Level 2); there are significantly fewer low performers (Level 1 and below) and more high performers (Levels 5 and 6) in Ireland than on average across OECD countries. Ireland’s mean score on the overall mathematics scale is 499.6 and this is significantly higher than the OECD average of 489.3.

4.1.2 In 2019, 22% of people aged 25-64 years had upper secondary education while 15% had post leaving certificate education. Third level education had been achieved by 46% of people aged 25-64 years, with 10% having an ordinary degree, 22% with an honours degree and 13% with postgraduate qualifications. Females were more likely to have third level education. An honours degree was held by 24% of women aged 25-64 years compared with 21% of men, while 14% of women had a post graduate qualification compared with 12% of men.