Definition

The tertiary graduation rate is the share of each age cohort that will complete tertiary-type A education based on current patterns of graduation; this indicator only includes first-time graduates, and provides a measure of the current output of the tertiary educational system. The tertiary entry rate is an estimate of the share of a youth cohort that will enter different types of tertiary education during their lifetime; it is computed as the sum of entry rates for students by single year of age. The two indicators inform about the rate at which countries produce advanced knowledge.

The data on tertiary education shown here refer to traditional university degrees, i.e. those associated with completion of "type A" tertiary courses. Excluded from these data are shorter and often vocationally oriented courses, which usually lead to direct labour market access (i.e. "type B" tertiary).

For more statistics on economic, environmental and social issues visit online the OECD Factbook 2010.