Discontinuation of education

Statistics Finland has been compiling statistics on discontinuation of post-comprehensive school education from individual-based data on students and qualifications since the academic year of 2000-2001. The data on discontinuation are obtained by examining the situation of students having studied in September xxxx in September xxxx+1. If a person has not continued to study or has not qualified during the year in question, he or she is defined as having dropped out of education. The central object of examination in these statistics is the sector of education: upper secondary general education (aimed at young people), vocational education (aimed at young people), polytechnic education (Bachelor’s degrees) and university education (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees). Data have also been compiled from other points of view, for example by educational institution, field of study or region. In accordance with the Statistics Act, the personal data from which these statistics are compiled are confidential. As a rule, the statistics produced from them are public.