Which countries have the most students juggling work and studies?

Many employers are increasingly valuing skills and work experience as equal to or better than a formal education.

For this reason, along with the rising costs of living and university tuition, large numbers of students are opting to hold down a job alongside their studies.

However, students in some countries toil harder than others. The chart below, based on the OECD’s 2012 Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), depicts the balance of work and study in 22 countries.

Across the countries surveyed, an average of 39.6% of students were employed while studying. The countries with the most students working are the Netherlands, where nearly 64% work, closely followed by Australia. Czech students are the most focused on their studies, with just over 18% in a job. Gender was not found to influence the likelihood of working.

While up to 50% of employment is comprised of apprenticeships and vocational education programmes, most students were found to work in jobs not related to their field of study.

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Author: Sebastian Brixey-Williams is a Digital Content Producer at Formative Content. 

Image: A graduate wears a houndstooth ribbon on her graduation cap. REUTERS/Marvin Gentry