Local estimates of adult qualification levels are based on responses to the ONS Annual Population Survey over a calendar year. The headline rate is expressed as a percentage of residents aged 16 to 64 (a proxy for working age).
The survey asks respondents for qualifications that they hold, and, from this information, the highest qualification held by the respondent is calculated. The highest qualifications are grouped into levels based on the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF). Further details are in the section towards the end of this report. Until 2021 the levels were based on National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) so there is a discontinuity between 2021 and 2022 in the time series.
As the data come from a survey, the results are sample-based estimates and therefore subject to differing degrees of sampling variability, particularly for smaller geographic areas.
North East qualification levels
40.1%
qualified to level 4+, North East residents
% of 16-64 population, 2024.
lower than the UK (47.1%).
9th highest of the
15 CA (combined authority) areas.
10.7%
with no qualifications, North East residents
% of 16-64 population, 2024.
higher than the UK (6.9%),
highest of the
15 CA areas.
51.7%
qualified to level 4+ in Newcastle upon Tyne
Highest of North East LA areas,
lowest: County Durham (34.7%).
Highest % with no qualifications:
Northumberland (13.7%).
+2.1 pp
annual increase in % with no qualifications, North East
percentage point change 2023 to 2024.
UK: +0.3 pp.
Change in % qualified to level 4+:
North East: -0.2 pp, UK: no change.
Differences by sex and age
42.1%
of North East females qualified to level 4+
% of 16-64 population, 2024.
Higher than male rate (38.1%).
% with no qualifications:
Males: 11.4%, females: 10.0%.
52.5%
of 30 to 39 year-olds qualified to level 4+
North East residents 2024,
highest among age groups.
Lowest (excluding under 25s):
50 to 64: 35.9%.
11.7%
of 50 to 64 year-olds with no qualifications
North East residents 2024,
highest by age group
(excluding under 20s).
Lowest: 30 to 39: 6.8%.
42%
of those with no qualifications were aged 50 to 64
among North East residents
aged 20 to 64, 2024.
Only 30% of those educated
to level 4+ were aged 50 to 64.
Differences by economic activity status
87.0%
Economic activity rate for residents qualified to level 4 and above
16 to 64, North East, 2024.
UK equivalent: 88.8%
Overall rates:
NE 73.6%, UK 78.5%.
37.1%
Economic activity rate for residents with no qualifications
16 to 64, North East, 2024.
UK equivalent: 46.5%
Level 1 rates:
NE 66.3%, UK 66.7%.
47.4%
of employed people educated to level 4 and above
North East, 2024, aged 16 to 64.
Compared to:
40.1% of the overall population;
19.8% of the economically inactive.
25.4%
of economically inactive people with no qualifications
North East, 2024, aged 16 to 64.
Compared to:
10.7% of the overall population;
5.3% of the employed.
Definitions
The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) includes eight levels, the five highest of which are combined in the published data:
- Level 1: GCSEs grades 3-1 and equivalent; NVQ1; other level 1 qualifications
- Level 2: GCSEs grades 9-4 and equivalent; intermediate apprenticeships; NVQ2; other level 2 qualifications
- Level 3: A levels grade A-E; AS levels; T levels; advance apprenticeships; NVQ3; other level 3 qualifications
- Level 4: Certificates of higher education; HNCs; higher apprenticeships; NVQ4; other level 4 qualifications
- Level 5: Diplomas of higher education; HNDs; foundation degrees; NVQ5; other level 5 qualifications
- Level 6: Bachelor’s degree (with or without honours); degree apprenticeships; NVQ6; other level 6 qualifications;
- Level 7: Master’s degree, Postgraduate certificates including PGCE; NVQ7; other level 7 qualifications
- Level 8: Doctorates; other level 8 qualifications.
The previous definition of qualification levels (NVQ) included an apprenticeship level. However,apprenticeship qualifications are split into four separate levels in the new RQF.
Further analysis
Education and skills theme page
The evidence hub's education and skills landing page. With links to data reports about education at all levels and adult skills.
Nomis labour market data (source)
An ONS site with a flexible way of downloading up-to-date official labour market statistics for local areas.
Labour market theme page
The evidence hub's labour market landing page. With links to data reports about employment, unemployment and economic inactivity.