Growing Numbers in Higher & Further Education in 2023-24
The number of young people in work, training or further study nine months after they left school has increased.
The proportion of school leavers in a positive destination was 93.1% in 2023-24, up from 92.8%, according to the annual Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations. This is now at a similar level to the pre-pandemic peak of 93.3% in 2017-18.
The increase over the latest year has been driven by increases in school leavers reaching Higher education (from 37.1% to 38.1%) and Further education (from 21.2% to 21.9%).
Over the longer term, the proportion in positive destinations is up from 85.9% in 2009-10.
The latest statistics on the on the follow-up destinations of 2023-24 school leavers have been published today.
— Scottish Government Statistics (@ScotStat) June 17, 2025
93.1% of leavers were in a positive follow-up destination, up from 92.8% last year.
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These figures show the proportion of Scotlandās young people achieving positive destinations is almost back to pre-pandemic levels and at a near record high.
EDUCATION SECRETARY JENNY GILRUTH
The increase among those in Higher and Further Education is hugely encouraging and testament to the hard work of those young people and the extraordinary support provided by Scotlandās teachers, lecturers and other support staff.
The gap in positive destinations between young people from our most and least deprived communities has more than halved since 2009-10, but this latest data shows we still have more to do. We also know this cohort of young people faced significant disruption to their education during the pandemic.
A range of support, including from careers advisers andĀ the Developing the Young Workforce network, is available for young people considering their options after school. I am determined to ensure young peopleĀ can access the right help they need to enable them into a positive destination and this Government will continue to invest in opportunities for young people across Scotland.
Background
Summary statistics for follow-up leaver destinations, no. 7: 2025 edition – gov.scot
