Decrease in quantity of university graduates observed in Latvia
In the academic year of 2023-2024, a total of 13,481 individuals graduated from higher education institutions in Latvia, marking a 4% decrease compared to the previous year, according to a report published by the Education and Science Ministry.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the graduation landscape in Latvia, shedding light on the fields of study, level of study, and the gender distribution of graduates. However, specific graduation rates by level of study, gender, and field of study for the 2023-2024 period could not be found in the current data.
Nonetheless, the report offers valuable insights into the higher education and vocational training landscape in Latvia.
Fields of Study
The majority of graduates, 72%, studied at public universities, with over 9,000 students completing their studies. The largest number of graduates were found in the fields of social sciences, business studies, and law, as well as health care and social welfare, with a total of 7,261 students graduating. On the other hand, the smallest number of graduates was in the field of agriculture, with 217 graduates. In the field of services, 994 graduates were recorded.
Gender Distribution
Two-thirds or 66% of all graduates were women. Women were most likely to graduate from programs in education, health, social welfare, humanities, and arts. Conversely, men were more likely to choose engineering, construction, manufacturing, natural sciences, and information technology.
Level of Study
The majority of graduates, 47%, completed bachelor-level study programs. Approximately 4,000 graduates obtained master's degrees, and the number of doctoral graduates was the lowest, with only 229 individuals. It is worth noting that all doctoral graduates studied full-time, while almost half of college graduates studied part-time.
While the report does not provide specific graduation rates by level of study, gender, and field of study for the 2023-2024 period, common trends in similar EU countries often show gradual improvements in graduation rates overall, with some gender gaps narrowing but persistent differences by field—STEM fields sometimes showing lower female graduation shares.
For those seeking up-to-date and more specific data, consulting Latvia’s Central Statistical Bureau or Ministry websites or recent Eurostat publications specific to Latvia would be essential, as this information is not captured in the current query results.
- The report reveals that the majority of graduates in Latvia's 2023-2024 academic year studied in fields such as social sciences, business studies, law, health care, and social welfare, while the smallest number of graduates were in the field of agriculture.
- In terms of gender distribution, the report shows that two-thirds of all graduates were women, with women most likely to graduate from programs in education, health, social welfare, humanities, and arts, while men were more likely to choose engineering, construction, manufacturing, natural sciences, and information technology.
- Although the report does not provide specific graduation rates by level of study, gender, and field of study for the 2023-2024 period, trends in similar EU countries often display gradual improvements in overall graduation rates, with some gender gaps narrowing but persistent differences by field in areas like STEM fields, where female graduation shares can sometimes be lower.
