Employed non-nationals are more likely to be over-qualified than nationals for their job. In the EU in 2021, the over-qualification rate was 39.6% for non-EU citizens (-1.9 percentage points (pp) than in 2020) and 32.0 % for citizens of other EU countries (-0.2 pp). By contrast, the over-qualification rate for nationals stood at 20.8 %, 0.2 pp more than in 2020.
Across the EU members, in 2021, the highest share of over-qualified non-EU citizens was recorded in Greece (69.5 %), followed by Italy (67.1 %), Spain (57.0%), Estonia (46.4 %) and Austria (46.2 %). For citizens of other EU countries, the highest shares of over-qualified workers were also recorded in Cyprus (50.3 %), Greece (48.2 %), Italy (46.9 %), Spain (46.2 %) and Ireland (41.4 %). The share of over-qualified employed nationals was the highest in Spain (34.5 %), Greece (32.1 %), Cyprus (29.5 %), Ireland (26.8%) and Austria (26.2 %).
Luxembourg reported the lowest over-qualification rates overall in 2021, regardless of the workers’ citizenship, with 4.8 % for over-qualified nationals, 5.5 % for citizens of other EU countries and 8.2 % for non-EU citizens.
Since 2023 is the European Year of Skills, these statistics might help to inform how people with a migrant background compare to home-country nationals or native-born in terms of skills and professional accomplishments in the labour market.
Gender gap for over-qualification of non-nationals was 3.9 pp higher than for nationals.
Looking at the over-qualification rates by sex, data reveals that women represent higher over-qualification rates than men regardless the country of citizenship.
In 2021, the over-qualification rate among nationals was 1.0 pp higher for women than for men. The gap between the sexes was wider for female non-nationals, some 4.9 pp higher than the rate for male non-nationals; 4.1 pp for citizens of other EU countries and 6.3 pp for non-EU citizens.
Over-qualification rates for foreign citizens were higher among older than younger people
In terms of age, in 2021 in the EU, over-qualification rates for non-EU citizens and citizens of other EU countries were generally higher among people aged 35-64 years rather than younger (aged 20-34 years) people, whereas the situation for nationals was reversed.
The over-qualification rate was higher among non-EU citizens aged 35-64 years at 42.8 % compared with 35.2 % in the group of people aged 20-34 years (7.6 pp gap between age groups). For citizens of other EU countries, the gap was smaller at 3.0 pp, with 33.0 % in the older age group compared with 30.0 % in the younger group.
By contrast, the over-qualification rate for nationals was higher among people in the younger age group than it was for the older group, a difference of 3.9 pp.
Looking at the over-qualification rates by sex, data reveals that women represent higher over-qualification rates than men regardless the country of citizenship.
In 2021, the over-qualification rate among nationals was 1.0 pp higher for women than for men. The gap between the sexes was wider for female non-nationals, some 4.9 pp higher than the rate for male non-nationals; 4.1 pp for citizens of other EU countries and 6.3 pp for non-EU citizens.
Over-qualification rates for foreign citizens were higher among older than younger people
In terms of age, in 2021 in the EU, over-qualification rates for non-EU citizens and citizens of other EU countries were generally higher among people aged 35-64 years rather than younger (aged 20-34 years) people, whereas the situation for nationals was reversed.
The over-qualification rate was higher among non-EU citizens aged 35-64 years at 42.8 % compared with 35.2 % in the group of people aged 20-34 years (7.6 pp gap between age groups). For citizens of other EU countries, the gap was smaller at 3.0 pp, with 33.0 % in the older age group compared with 30.0 % in the younger group.
By contrast, the over-qualification rate for nationals was higher among people in the younger age group than it was for the older group, a difference of 3.9 pp.
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on migrant integration statistics – over-qualification
- Thematic section on migrant integration
- Database of migrant integration statistics
Methodological notes:
- The over-qualification rate is calculated for employed persons with a tertiary level of education attainment (international standard classification of education (ISCED) levels 5–8). The rate shows what proportion of these people are employed in a low- or medium-skilled occupation (international standard classification of occupations (ISCO) major groups 4–9).