The distribution of education level in Europe from 1980-2020?
The tertiary education rate in Europe significantly increased from 2010 to 2020. In 2010, the average education rate was 29%, which rose to 38% in 2020. The United Kingdom, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Finland have the highest rates of tertiary education. In contrast, Italy, Portugal, and Czech have relatively lower tertiary education rates, possibly due to the strong tradition of vocational education and apprenticeships, limited capacity in universities, and cultural factors.
What is the relationship between education level and doctor consultation?
From the map and the scatterplots
below, we can observe an inverse relationship between the education rate and
doctors’ consultations. In other words, individuals with higher education
levels are less likely to be sick.
What is the relationship between education level and life expectancy?
The education rate has a positive relationship
with life expectancy, which means that those with higher education levels tend
to have a longer lifespan compared to the less educated.
Discussion
Schooling enables people to develop
a broad range of cognitive functioning skills, from reading, writing,
communication to critical thinking, problem solving and personal control (Luy
et al., 2019). These skills tend to improve health outcomes (Raghupathi &
Raghupathi, 2020). Well-educated adults are more likely employed, particularly
for full-time, subjectively rewarding jobs with relatively higher incomes and
lower economic hardship (Ross & Wu, 1995). Well-paid jobs enabled one to
have higher accessibility for nutritious food, better-quality housing, and
high-quality medical care (Mirowsky and Ross, 2003). Research found that the
well-educated are more likely to have regular bodycheck, which helps detect
early signs of illness and forestalling serious health problems (Coburn &
Pope, 1974). Moreover, a healthy lifestyle is subtly promoted in education.
Individuals with higher education level leverage their knowledge and
experiences in the past to mitigate health-related risk factors and and
actively adopt behaviors that promote health, such as quitting smoking,
abstaining from alcohol, and engaging in regular physical exercise. In
addition, education provides socio-psychological resources that can enhance
health and lifespan through emotional support and practical assistance.
Education is therefore a crucial
determinant of health and a proxy for social status (Arendt, 2006). Given the
strong association between education and health, it is imperative for
governments to prioritize and allocate sufficient resources to the education
sector. Investment in education initiatives can yield substantial returns in
terms of population health improvements. By expanding access to quality
education, implementing supportive policies, and fostering an environment that
encourages lifelong learning, governments can reduce social inequalities,
empower individuals to make informed health decisions and lead healthier lives.