According to the most recent data released by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (Surs), 83,700 students have been enrolled in higher education in the 2014/15 study year, which is 7,000 students fewer than the year before. The number of students in vocational further education has witnessed the most significant drop (now only 11,485 students).

Vocational and university undergraduate programmes have much fewer students enrolled in this study year (52,376) than they had five years ago (more than 84,000). On the contrary, the number of postgraduate students in higher education is increasing, particularly in Masters' programmes – in 2014/15 these have almost 20,000 students, which is more than a quarter of all students in higher education.

Drop in number of 1st-year students not so dramatic
Despite the quick drop in the total number of students, young people are not losing interest in further or higher education with the same speed. The number of first-year students in higher education has not experienced such a dramatic drop – this study year has welcomed 14,000 news students, which is 3,500 fewer than five years ago. In part, this can be also attributed to smaller generations of young people, explains Surs.

T. H., MMC; translated by K. Z.