Graduates on Aug. 29, 2025, toss their caps into the air at the fall commencement ceremony at the main campus of Yonsei University in Seoul's Seodaemun-gu District. (Korea.net DB)

By Kim Seon Ah

Over 70% of young people in the country have completed higher education, according to newly released data.

The Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Institute on Sept. 29 said 71.1% of those in the age range of 25-34 had completed higher education as of last year, the highest among member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Korea's figure was 23.6 percentage points above the OECD average of 47.5%. Canada was second at 67.7% and Ireland third at 66.8%.

Among adults ages 25-64, 58.2% in Korea had completed higher education, well above the OECD average of 42.6%.

The employment rate for university graduates was 80.1% last year.

sofiakim218@korea.kr