More students stay longer at school
The most notable change since the mid-1980s has been the increased participation of students at secondary schools beyond the compulsory age. The participation rate (the proportion of the population of a given age involved in secondary education) has increased since 1987 for students aged 16-18 years, when attendance is not compulsory. While participation increased over the period, it did not increase after 1993 despite the raising of the minimum school leaving age to 16 years at the beginning of 1993.
The highest participation rate for 16-year-olds was recorded in 1991, and for 17 and 18-year-olds in 1993. Between 1987 and 1996 participation increased from 70.5 percent to 78.2 percent for 16-year-olds, from 37.1 percent to 55.4 percent for 17-year-olds and from 6.9 percent to 13.9 percent for 18-year-olds. Increasing participation may be a reflection of declining employment opportunities for those without higher qualifications.
The increase in participation is reflected in higher retention rates (the proportions of 14-year-olds who stay at school until the age of 16,17 or 18 years). The increase in retention rates from 1986 to 1996 was similar for females and males.
While both participation and retention rates increased between 1986 and 1996 the trend was not consistent over the period. The retention rate for 16-year-olds peaked in 1992 and then declined slightly from 1993, despite the raising of the leaving age to 16 in 1993. Indeed participation and retention rates were lower for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds in 1996 than in 1993. This occurrence was possibly due to the improved employment situation since 1992, alternative training schemes being offered to this age group, and increasing participation in the tertiary sector.
For more information you can order New Zealand Now series - Young New Zealanders
Young New Zealanders
Shrinking Youth Population
More Young Males than Young Females
Youth Population is ethnically diverse
Cities offer study and employment
Young people move a lot
More students stay longer at school
Who gets school qualifications?
More females in tertiary education
Work and study for tertiary students
Young people more qualified
15-24-year-olds' annual income
Fall of median youth income
Unemployment benefit for 20-24 years
Higher household incomes
Most young people live at home
Young people living apart from family
De facto partners for 15-25-year-olds
Fertility of young women falling
More young people work part time
Main industries for young workers
Young workers highest unemployed
Unemployment by ethnic group
Young people: causes of deaths
Young men and vehicle deaths
Young people have high suicide rate
Young men heavier drinkers
Fewer young smokers in 1996
back to top