In this time it has been overtaken by Portugal, Korea, Ireland, and Hungary.
The tables which chart the percentage of children and students in full or part time education in developed countries shows the UK has joined Turkey, Mexico, and Luxembourg in having the lowest percentage of young people in education.
The other 24 developed countries all have a higher percentage of their young in education.
Analysis of these tables by the University and College Union (UCU) suggests that it is not just other developed countries which have better education records. It says that so called 'second tier' countries, partner countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, also have a higher percentage of young people in education. These include Russia, Brazil, Slovenia, and Estonia.
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: 'This shocking analysis brings home just how much the UK has to do if it wants to remain a key player in the new global knowledge economy. We cannot rely on our proud history when it comes to educational achievement or innovation.
'We have to face up to the fact that we cannot remain a first-world country with third-world levels of participation in education. Other developed countries are pulling away from us and the developing nations are catching up and looking like they will over take us.'
In 1995 the UK was 15th out of 30 on a table for the percentage of 15-19 year olds in public or private educational institutions. In 2007 it was in 26th position.
Ms Hunt added: 'The figures should worry us all. Sticking plaster policies from parties looking for votes just will not do. We need a genuine cross-party consensus on the issue.'
The UCU today launched Make Education Count Westminster network a cross-party group which aims to improve education in the UK.
One of its primary aims is make the UK's universities and colleges, which are worth £87 billion a year to the economy, beneficial to more young people.
The tables which chart the percentage of children and students in full or part time education in developed countries shows the UK has joined Turkey, Mexico, and Luxembourg in having the lowest percentage of young people in education.
The other 24 developed countries all have a higher percentage of their young in education.
Analysis of these tables by the University and College Union (UCU) suggests that it is not just other developed countries which have better education records. It says that so called 'second tier' countries, partner countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, also have a higher percentage of young people in education. These include Russia, Brazil, Slovenia, and Estonia.
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: 'This shocking analysis brings home just how much the UK has to do if it wants to remain a key player in the new global knowledge economy. We cannot rely on our proud history when it comes to educational achievement or innovation.
'We have to face up to the fact that we cannot remain a first-world country with third-world levels of participation in education. Other developed countries are pulling away from us and the developing nations are catching up and looking like they will over take us.'
In 1995 the UK was 15th out of 30 on a table for the percentage of 15-19 year olds in public or private educational institutions. In 2007 it was in 26th position.
Ms Hunt added: 'The figures should worry us all. Sticking plaster policies from parties looking for votes just will not do. We need a genuine cross-party consensus on the issue.'
The UCU today launched Make Education Count Westminster network a cross-party group which aims to improve education in the UK.
One of its primary aims is make the UK's universities and colleges, which are worth £87 billion a year to the economy, beneficial to more young people.
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