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.