Current Situation
Nova Scotia’s share of the population aged 25-64 with post-secondary (including trades, college or university) educational attainment is 69.8 per cent in 2021, up from the 2013 baseline of 65 per cent, and 5.2 percentage points short of the target. As the baby boomers age into retirement, this trend should accelerate over time.
| Year | PSE Attainment Rate | Baseline | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 55.5% | 65% | 75% |
| 2001 | 57.3% | 65% | 75% |
| 2002 | 56.6% | 65% | 75% |
| 2003 | 58.0% | 65% | 75% |
| 2004 | 59.4% | 65% | 75% |
| 2005 | 58.9% | 65% | 75% |
| 2006 | 58.9% | 65% | 75% |
| 2007 | 59.6% | 65% | 75% |
| 2008 | 57.8% | 65% | 75% |
| 2009 | 60.2% | 65% | 75% |
| 2010 | 62.7% | 65% | 75% |
| 2011 | 62.4% | 65% | 75% |
| 2012 | 64.3% | 65% | 75% |
| 2013 | 64.8% | 65% | 75% |
| 2014 | 64.8% | 65% | 75% |
| 2015 | 66.8% | 65% | 75% |
| 2016 | 66.7% | 65% | 75% |
| 2017 | 67.3% | 65% | 75% |
| 2018 | 67.8% | 65% | 75% |
| 2019 | 67.3% | 65% | 75% |
| 2020 | 69.3% | 65% | 75% |
| 2021 | 69.8% | 65% | 75% |
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What This Means
A greater share of the Nova Scotian workforce is highly educated, preparing them for high skilled jobs. In large part, this trend reflects demographic shifts – as younger, higher educated cohorts age enter the workforce and older cohorts with lower educational attainment rates retire and leave the workforce, the workforces overall education level increases.
Deep Dive
Read more detailed information about this goal by clicking 'Deep Dive'