The most recently published analysis by my Department of retention rates at second level was released in August 2003. The report indicates that of those who commenced the junior cycle programme in September 1994, approximately 3,900, or 5.7%, left school before completing the junior certificate three years later, and approximately 12,500, or 18.2%, students leave school annually without the leaving certificate.
The OECD employs a different methodology which divides the number of graduates from upper second level by the estimated number in the population at typical age of graduation.