The bar chart illustrates the results of a survey of 1,000 young people, showing what they did after leaving school between 2008 and 2012.
Overall, going to university and taking a temporary break from education became increasingly popular over the period, whereas looking for work showed an overall decline. In 2008, seeking employment was the most common choice, but university became the leading option by the end of the period.
In 2008, 300 school leavers chose to go to university. This figure rose steadily to 350 in 2009 and reached a peak of 400 in 2010. Although it fell slightly to around 380 in 2011, it remained unchanged in the final year, making university the most popular destination among school leavers.
By contrast, the number of young people who looked for work started at 500 in 2008, the highest figure shown on the chart. However, it dropped significantly to 400 in 2009 and then to just over 300 in 2010. The figure remained stable at approximately 320 in 2011 before increasing moderately to around 380 in 2012.
Meanwhile, taking a temporary break from education was the least popular option at the beginning of the period, with only 200 students choosing it in 2008. Nevertheless, the number increased gradually each year, rising to 250 in 2009, nearly 300 in 2010, and 300 in 2011 before reaching approximately 320 in 2012.