Core Insights - The overall educational attainment of China's population has significantly improved, with 21.72% of the population aged 6 and above holding a college degree or higher in 2024, up from 19.20% in 2023, indicating that one in five people has attended college [1][4] - The proportion of individuals with bachelor's and graduate degrees has also increased, reaching 10.08% and 1.12% respectively, compared to 8.57% and 0.95% in 2023 [1][4] - The growth in educational attainment is linked to the expansion of higher education and the increasing demand for higher qualifications in the job market [1][10] Educational Statistics - In 2024, the population with college diplomas, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees accounted for 10.53%, 10.08%, and 1.12% of the total population, respectively [3][4] - The total enrollment in various forms of higher education reached 48.46 million in 2024, an increase from 47.63 million in 2023 [4] - The number of graduate students has seen rapid growth, with 135.68 million enrolled in 2024, up from 91.65 million in 2019, marking a 62.6% increase in doctoral students and a 46.1% increase in master's students over five years [5][10] Regional Disparities - There are significant regional differences in educational attainment, with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin having the highest proportions of individuals with college degrees or higher, at 50.83%, 40.93%, and 36.16% respectively [7][8] - The distribution of high-education populations varies across provinces, affecting graduates' employment choices and opportunities [8] Employment Trends - Companies are increasingly raising their educational requirements for job applicants, with many positions now requiring at least a bachelor's degree [10][11] - The job market is becoming more competitive, particularly for roles in research, design, and technical management, where graduate degrees are often preferred [10][11] - Employers are placing greater emphasis on practical skills and work experience, suggesting a shift towards valuing capabilities over formal educational qualifications [11][12] Educational Policy and Future Directions - The "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes improving the quality of higher education and expanding quality undergraduate education enrollment [1][2] - Experts suggest that while educational attainment is rising, there should be a balance between degree attainment and actual skill development to enhance workforce quality [10][12]

21世纪经济报道记者 陈洁 实习生 张星雨 我国人口的学历情况有了新变化。 按照近日出版发行的《中国统计年鉴（2025）》数据计算，2024年，我国受教育人口中 （ 6 岁及以上，下同） ，拥有大学专科及以上学历的人 口占比为21.72%，较2023年的19.20%有明显提升，达到全国每5人就有1人"念过大学"。 与此同时，拥有高学历的人口占比也进一步提升。拥有大学本科和研究生学历的人口分别达到10.08%、1.12%，较2023年的8.57%、0.95%有明 显提升。 中国教育科学研究院研究员储朝晖对21世纪经济报道记者表示，我国人口学历的提升与教育的普及水平息息相关，"经济社会发展、人口变 化、社会对学历的需求提高，这些都是推高我国人口学历的重要因素。但是需要注意，学历提升与人口素质提升并不能完全画等号。" "十五五"时期，我国人口学历有望"再进阶"，但重点方向是"优质"。《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划的建议》（以 下简称《建议》）提出，推动高等教育提质扩容，扩大优质本科教育招生规模。 储朝晖认为，"十五五"时期，我国高等教育要在教育观念、评价、管理等多个方向进行转变。"这一转变意味 ...