Ireland vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Over-qualification rates by economic activity
Ireland
27.1%
in 2025
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
25.3%
in 2019
Ireland rank
5th
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
7th
Over-qualification rates by economic activity over time
- Ireland
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
Ireland currently reports 27.1% against 25.3% in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 1.8%.
That makes Ireland's figure about 1.1 times United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's.
Across all 12 years both countries report, Ireland has been ahead every year.
Ireland ranks 5th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 7th of 45 countries.
Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Ireland | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.6% | 23.2% | 6.4% | Ireland |
| 2010s | 29.5% | 25.0% | 4.4% | Ireland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher over-qualification rates by economic activity, Ireland or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Ireland, at 27.1% against 25.3% in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2025.
- What is the difference in over-qualification rates by economic activity between Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 1.8%, with Ireland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 12 years are reported by both, from 2008 to 2019.
- How do Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for over-qualification rates by economic activity?
- Ireland ranks 5th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 7th of 45 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Eurostat, published as Over-qualification rates by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.