Activities of adult learning associations, 2014

The number of participants on courses arranged by popular education organisations increased by 8 per cent in the period 2011-2104. The number of participants increased in most counties in this period. Akershus and Vestfold had the highest percentage increase, with 22 and 21 per cent respectively, while in Vest-Agder and Nord-Trøndelag the number of participants increased by 17 per cent. The percentage decrease was greatest in Hedmark and Troms, where the number of participants dropped by 7 per cent.

Women in the majority

As in previous years, women were in the majority. Women made up 57 per cent of all participants in 2014. Women were in the majority in all counties. Finnmark and Nordland had the highest majority of female participants with 63 and 60 per cent respectively. Sør-Trøndelag had the lowest female majority with 54 per cent.

Women aged 50 years and over accounted for 45 per cent, and women in the age groups 14-29 years and 30-49 years accounted for 25 and 30 per cent of all female participants. Oslo was the only county where women aged 30-49 years were in the majority.

27 000 were offered public examination

In total, 27 000 participants were offered a final examination or internal tests in 2014. This accounted for 5 per cent of all participants, which is about the same level as in 2013 and 2 percentage points lower than in 2011. A total of 4 900 were offered a public examination, 16 000 were offered another valid examination or certificate and 900 were offered a vocational examination. In addition, 5 000 were offered internal tests.

Sixty-three per cent of all participants who were offered a final examination or internal tests were men. Fifty-two per cent of participants who were offered a public examination were women. Women were also in the majority, 57 per cent, among those who were offered a vocational examination.

Aesthetic and handicraft courses most popular

Participants on courses within the aesthetic and handicraft line accounted for 42 per cent or 212 500 participants in 2014. Courses within organisation and management had the second most participants, with 23 per cent or 116 000 participants. Courses in goods and services had the lowest number of participants and accounted for only 0.2 per cent or 780 participants.

Courses offering a public exam within science, industry and technical subjects had the most participants, while courses offering another valid examination or certificate within natural resource management, ecology, environmental protection and outdoor recreation had the second most participants.