The line graph illustrates the number of students who graduated UK universities from 1992 to 2002, while the bar chart compares the different job destinations of these graduates in 1992, 1997 and 2002.
Overall, the number of graduates rose to a peak in 1997 before declining modestly until the end of the period. In addition, although it declined noticeably, the professional sphere consistently received the highest proportion of graduates. In contrast, most of the other fields experienced a moderate upward trend.
In terms of graduate numbers, approximately 160,000 students completed their studies in 1992. This figure rose steadily to around 195,000 5 years later, representing the highest point during the given period. By 2002, the number of graduates had fallen to about 175,000.
Regarding the occupation sectors, just under 60% of the graduates entered the professional sector. This figure decreased to account for half of the students in 1997 before falling to roughly 41% in 2002. The managerial and administrative jobs made up around a fifth of the graduate employment in 1992 and decreased by 2% in the following years.
Turning to the sectors whose share increased, the clerical and secretarial sector doubled from 10% in 1992 to roughly 20% in 1997 and 2002. The sales and other unspecified sectors followed a similar upward trajectory, starting at about 5% and ending at roughly 10%.