Does a university degree help you find a job in Europe? The short answer is yes. In most EU countries, university graduates have lower unemployment rates compared to those without a degree.
However, Turkey stands out. Here, university graduates face a higher unemployment rate than the general population. According to Eurostat data from 2024, this is an unusual situation. While Europe generally enjoys a trend where higher education lowers unemployment, Turkey breaks this mold.
Unemployment rates vary across Europe. For instance, the overall unemployment rate ranges from just 2.6% in Czechia to 11.4% in Spain. The average for the EU is 5.9%. In Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Finland, and Sweden, rates are also above 8%.
For university graduates, the highest unemployment rates are in Turkey (9.2%), Greece (7.3%), and Spain (6.9%). The EU average for graduates is significantly lower at 3.8%, with countries like Czechia and Poland reporting just 1.4%.
The gap between the jobless rates of the general population and university graduates is noteworthy. In Spain, the difference is 4.5 percentage points, highlighting the value of a degree there. In contrast, Turkey’s gap shows that graduates actually fare worse, with rates 0.4 points higher than the general jobless rate.
Interestingly, Turkey has been in this position for years. Data from 2004 to 2024 reveals that Turkey is the only country where university graduates consistently face higher unemployment. This trend challenges the usual benefits associated with higher education.
As for why this is happening, Turkey’s higher education system has expanded rapidly. In 2019, Turkey boasted the highest rate of university students relative to its population—95 students per 1,000 people, more than double the EU average of 38. From just 53 public universities in 2003, there are now 204, including private institutions.
This explosion in the number of graduates has created a mismatch in the job market. According to the OECD, the increase in tertiary graduates has outpaced the available jobs, thus lessening the economic returns on a degree. This concern also extends to the quality of education available. There’s a noted gap between the skills employers are seeking and those that students possess, particularly in STEM fields.
Overall, while a degree can still enhance job prospects in many countries, Turkey serves as a cautionary tale. The expansion of higher education needs a balanced approach, focusing on quality and relevance to ensure that graduates can effectively enter the job market.
As we move forward, the conversation must shift toward improving educational quality and aligning it more closely with market needs to foster better outcomes for graduates across Europe. For a deeper understanding of these trends, refer to OECD findings on education quality and labor market relevance.
Source link
university,Higher education,registered unemployed,Jobs,Unemployment,employment
