Participation in lifelong learning has decreased in the last two years after an increase between 2014 and 2015. Almost 23% of the 25-64 year old population participated in lifelong learning, either in school or through other learning with an instructor in 2017, 39,600 persons in total. Although the decrease is only 1.4 percentage points, the rate of participation has not been lower since numbers on lifelong learning were first published in 2003, when it was 22.2%. The same goes for 16-74 year olds; where a one percentage point decrease resulted in the lowest participation rate since 2003. Participation decreased in all categories such as courses, lectures outside school with an instructor (e.g. conferences), or learning in school. The decrease was greatest among men with tertiary education, about 4 percentage points in each age group.
Participation in lifelong learning greatest among those with tertiary education
A little over 30% of those with tertiary education aged 25-64 participated in lifelong learning in 2017. The proportion was lower among those who had completed upper secondary education, about 21%, and lowest among those who had solely completed basic education, a little over 12%.
The rate of participation in lifelong learning was greatest among 16-24 year olds, 61.2%, as a considerable part of this age group consists of students at the upper secondary and tertiary levels. The participation rate was smallest among 55-74 year olds, 11.4%. Women were about 54% of all 16-74 year olds who participated in lifelong learning, 35,900, but men were 30,400 in total.
Lifelong learning outside of school most common
In total, 27,500 persons aged 25-64 took part in lifelong learning outside of school in 2017. About 15,400 persons took courses and 13,300 took part in other learning with an instructor, such as attending a conference. About 17,100 persons in this age group were students.
A large majority of participants in lifelong learning were employed; 34,900 persons. In this group participation in lifelong learning was greater outside of school (almost 18%) than inside (about 7%). The opposite was true for the unemployed and those who were not in the labour force, where the majority chose to seek learning in schools. About 18% of the unemployed and those not in the labour force took part in lifelong learning in schools but the participation rate was about 7-10% outside schools.
About the data
The data are based on the Statistics Iceland Labour Force Survey. The Labour Force Survey is based on international definitions and standards. The sample frame includes all Icelandic and foreign citizens aged 16–74 residing in Iceland. The total sample size in 2017 was 15,734. When those who had passed away and those who were living abroad had been deducted from the sample the net sample was 15,313 persons. The total number of usable answers was 10,488 which correspond to a 68.5% response rate. All results have been weighted by age and sex.
Lifelong learning includes all types of education that a person attends both formal education in school and education out of school, such as a course, lecture or a conference.