The pie charts illustrate the proportions of Australian school leavers choosing different pathways after completing secondary school in 1980, 1990 and 2000.
Overall, it is clear that employment became increasingly popular over time, whereas the percentage of students continuing their education declined significantly.
In 1980, the largest proportion of school leavers chose to pursue further education, accounting for a considerable share of all students. This was followed by those who entered employment, which also represented a substantial percentage. In contrast, only a relatively small proportion of individuals were unemployed, making it the least common outcome.
By 2000, there was a noticeable shift in the distribution of choices. The proportion of students entering employment increased markedly, becoming the most dominant category. Meanwhile, the figure for those continuing their education declined compared to earlier years. Similarly, the percentage of unemployed individuals remained relatively low throughout the period. Overall, school leavers showed a clear preference for joining the workforce rather than continuing their studies.