Graduate outcomes 2022: Key findings

According to the Executive Summary of the report:

" This report found that over 80% of 2019 graduates were in substantial employment in the first year after graduation with median earnings of €555 per week. This compares with 83% of 2018 graduates with median earnings of €530 per week. Over one-quarter (27%) of 2019 graduates were in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for a period in 2020.

The most common industries for new graduates in 2019 were Professional & Scientific, Wholesale & Retail, Health and Education with over half of graduates in substantial employment in the first year after graduation working in these industries.

Approximately 29% of those graduating in 2019 had re-enrolled in higher education the following year, which is up from 26% for the 2018 graduation cohort but down from 33% for the 2010 cohort.

This report was developed in collaboration with the HEA and is an example of the policy-relevant research projects the CSO are developing as part of the CSO’s leadership role of the Irish Statistical System. Our goal is to maximise the variety and volume of data available to provide high quality information to the Government, businesses and citizens."

Commenting on the report, Brian Stanley, Statistician, said: “Approximately 80% of 2019 graduates were in substantial employment in the first year after graduation with median earnings of €555 per week. This compares with 83% of 2018 graduates with median earnings of €530 per week. More than one-quarter of 2019 graduates were in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for a period in 2020.

T he most popular industry for new graduates in 2019 was Professional & Scientific activities. This was followed by Wholesale & Retail, Health, and Education. More than half of graduates in employment were working in one of these industries in their first year after graduation.

Around 29% of those graduating in 2019 had re-enrolled in higher education the following year, which is up from 26% for the class of 2018.

Male and female graduates from 2010 earned similar amounts in the first five years after graduation. After ten years, male graduates earned €1,040 per week compared to €915 for female graduates, a difference of €125. ”

You can read the full report here .