This analysis provides an overview of the general qualification levels in England, Wales and the regions, as reported in the census, in particular for those aged 16 to 64, who are considered to be of the age group most likely to be active within the labour market.

Compared with the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is considered a more reliable source of statistics on qualifications nationally, the census provides a rich source of data at low levels of geography, allowing variations in qualifications and the ranking of local authorities to be explored, by the proportion of usual residents with no qualifications, degree level or above qualification and apprenticeship, for example.

Key Points:

• Of the 45.5 million usual residents aged 16 and over in England and Wales in March 2011, over a fifth (22.7%) had no qualifications, while over three quarters (77.3%) had at least one qualification. For those aged between 16 and 64, these rates were 15.0% with no qualifications and 85.0% with at least one qualification.
• Over half (52.9%) of the population aged 65 and over had no qualifications, dropping to a quarter (25.1%) of those aged 50 to 64 and only 9.1% of those aged 25 to 34.
• The percentage of those with no qualifications was higher among men compared with women, below the age of 50.
• Degree level or above qualification was the most common highest level of qualification reported and was highest (4 in 10 people, 40.3%) among those aged 25 to 34, with a higher proportion of women (42.6%) in comparison with men (38.1%).
• Below the age of 50, a higher proportion of women had a degree level or above qualification in comparison with men.
• There were 2.9 million (6.4%) usual residents aged 16 and over that had an apprenticeship qualification, of which 1.6 million (3.6%) reported this as their highest level of qualification. There were 1.1 million (3.1%) people aged 16 to 64 reporting apprenticeship as their highest level of qualification, with a higher proportion among men (5.3%) than women (0.9%).
• The North East had the highest proportion of people reporting apprenticeship as their highest level of qualification, with Barrow-in-Furness in the North West having the highest proportion across all local authorities. Conversely, local authorities in the London region accounted for the 20 local authorities with the lowest proportions.
• Blaenau Gwent (27.1%) followed by Merthyr Tydfil (26.2%) were the local authorities with the highest proportion of people reporting no qualifications. Local authorities in the South of England had the lowest proportion reporting no qualifications.
• Great Yarmouth (15.7%) followed by Corby (16.1%) were the local authorities with the lowest proportions reporting a degree level or above qualification. The 5 local authorities with the highest proportions were all found in the London region.