Survey shows 46% of adults take courses

Just under half of those aged 25-64 took part in education and lifelonglearning during 2011, according to the National Statistics Office.

Quoting an adult education survey, the NSO said that 46.8 per cent of adults followed courses.

Some 47 per cent were women. The results also indicated a declining participation rate as people grow older.

The 25-34 age group accounted for the largest participation rate and the 55-64 group the lowest. Four per cent of those aged 25-64 participated in formal education activities during 2011. Of these, just over 80 per cent were reading for a tertiary qualification.

Participants in non-formal education accounted for 34 per cent of the total population aged 25-64. Collectively, they undertook 109,803 learning activities, primarily in the form of courses or on-the-job training. The majority of these activities (60 per cent) were job-related.

According to the AES results, 44 per cent of those engaged in non-formal learning activities had a secondary level of education or lower.

Out of those participating in non-formal learning, 83 per cent were employed while another six per cent were unemployed.

When asked to indicate the main obstacles hindering their participation in education and lifelong learning, several said they did not feel the need to engage in further learning activities, while family responsibilities and work schedules were also mentioned.

More than half the participants in education and lifelong learning activities attended cultural events. These included live performances and visits to cinemas and to cultural sites, with the latter being the most popular.