Statistics Estonia, commissioned by the Education and Youth Board, analysed for the fifth time the economic contribution of working international students and international graduates. Although the number of international degree students in Estonia was down from the previous years, international students paid 16.6 million euros in income and social tax in the academic year 2022/23, and graduates from the year before contributed 6.9 million euros. For students, this is 2.5 million euros more than in the previous academic year, while for graduates it is 1.5 million euros less.

Statistics Estonia's Adult Education Survey* shows that people take part in training to perform their jobs better. However, people attend an educational institution when they wish to improve their knowledge. In 19% of cases, a higher degree has also led to a new job or a higher salary. Käthrin Randoja, leading analyst, explores in the statistics blog what motivates adults to go to school or to take part in training, and how they benefit from it.

According to Statistics Estonia, an estimated 80% of the population aged 20–64 participated in adult education in the previous year*. Participation in adult education is higher among women, younger age groups, people with higher educational attainment, and native speakers of Estonian. Self-development has become considerably more popular among 50–64-year-olds. At the same time, the results indicate that two out of five adults would have liked to study more.

Statistics Estonia analysed the economic contribution of working international students and international graduates. The analysis, commissioned by the Education and Youth Board, shows that, in the academic year 2021/22, international degree students contributed 14 million euros and international graduates over 8 million euros in taxes. In recent years, there has been a considerable rise in the number of international graduates who stay to work in Estonia after graduation. The majority of these graduates work in Tallinn.

The international Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), which aims to collect data on people’s everyday competencies such as literacy, numeracy, information-seeking, use of computers and information technology, as well as their education and work experience, begins today. This is the second time that Estonia has participated in the survey.

According to Statistics Estonia, in the academic year 2020/2021, international students and graduates in Estonia paid more than ever before in labour taxes: a total of 16 million euros. At the same time, the number of international students was smaller, while the number of international graduates continued to rise. International students and graduates were most likely to work in information and communication as well as in education. Compared to local students, they worked more often in start-up enterprises.

Statistics Estonia prepared an analysis for the Estonian Education and Youth Authority on the economic impact of international students working in Estonia. It appeared that during the academic year 2019/2020, international students paid 10 million euros in income and social tax in Estonia and international graduates more than 3 million euros.

According to Statistics Estonia, the number of students in general education has decreased by nearly 20,000 during the past five years. While the number of students in the first grade will increase in the coming years, the number of students in secondary education will decrease.