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Published: 15 March 2011

Employment among students decreased slightly in 2009

According to Statistics Finland's data, employment during studies decreased slightly in 2009 from the previous year. Still more than one-half, or 55 per cent, of students were employed during their studies. The share of students employed during studies fell by 3.5 percentage points from the previous year. Employment during studies was most widespread among university students, as 60 per cent of them had an employment contract while studying. The share of students employed during studies was 57 per cent among polytechnic students and those in upper secondary vocational education.

Shares of employed students aged at least 18 of all students in 2005-2009

Women worked while studying more frequently than men: 58 per cent of women and 52 per cent of men had an employment contract while studying. The differences between women and men in working during studies were the largest in education leading to matriculation examination, polytechnic degree and lower university degree. The proportion of employed women was approximately ten percentage points higher than that of men. By contrast, in education leading to a higher university degree, such as master's degrees, men were employed during studies more frequently than women.

Employment during studies grew more widespread the older the students were. Twenty-two per cent of 18-year-old students and more than one-half of 23-year-old or older students had an employment relationship. Among the students aged 25 or over, 70 per cent were employed during their studies.

Employment of students during studies varies by field of education. Eighty per cent of students in the field of safety and security and 68 per cent of students in the fields of social sciences, and business and administration were employed at the end of 2009. In the field of social services, health and sports 63 per cent of students and in the field of tourism, catering and domestic services 55 per cent of students were employed during studies. Employment decreased most in the field of technology, communication and transport, where the share was 52 per cent and nearly six percentage points lower than in the previous year.

Employment during studies was more common than the average for the whole country in the regions of Uusimaa, Itä-Uusimaa, Kanta-Häme, Varsinais-Suomi and Ostrobothnia and in Åland.

Other statistics also indicate that studying was more interesting than in the year before. Discontinuation of education decreased and the pass rate improved. More information is available from statistics describing Discontinuation of education and Progress of studies .

Source: Education 2011. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Ritva Kaukonen (09) 1734 3311, koulutustilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Employment of students aged at least 18 years in 2009 and the share of employed students of all students in 2003-2009 (15.3.2011)
• Appendix table 2. Students and employed students aged at least 18 years by level of education and age in 2009 (15.3.2011)

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Updated 15.3.2011