Graduate Overeducation: A European Perspective

Abstract

Abstract As higher education in Europe expands, policy makers and taxpayers alike are increasingly asking whether or not there are too many graduates. Such concerns are based on fears that graduates are increasingly unable to secure graduate level employment. Yet employers continue to clamour for greater investment in education and training and, in many European countries, claim that there is a shortage of highly skilled labour. We examine this possible contradiction and attempt to verify whether or not significant (and increasing) numbers of European graduates are overeducated.