Athens, 08 June 2016
Press Release
NINE IN TEN PARENTS ASPIRE TO POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION FOR
THEIR CHILDREN
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88% of parents would consider postgraduate education for their children
35% of parents would consider university education abroad for their children
40% of parents say better career prospects are a key benefit of an international university education,
35% say improved income-potential
Parents’ preferred occupations for their children are medicine (16%), engineering (12%) and
computer science (8%)
Nearly nine in ten (88%) parents around the world would consider a postgraduate university education for
their child, according to a new HSBC report, The Value of Education Foundations for the future. This is
almost as many parents as those who would consider an undergraduate education (95%). Parents
consider a postgraduate degree as the key to unlocking career opportunities: over two thirds (69%) think
this qualification would increase the chances of their child finding full-time employment in their chosen
occupation.
Findings from this survey of over 6,200 parents in 15 countries reveals parents in Malaysia (96%),
Indonesia (94%) and India (93%), are the most likely to consider a postgraduate degree for their child.
Parents who are the least likely to consider this are in Egypt (76%) and France (82%).
Over a third (35%) of parents would also consider sending their child abroad to university. The highest
proportions of parents considering this are in Indonesia (60%), UAE (58%) and Hong Kong (54%), while
the lowest proportions are in Egypt (10%), France and Australia (both 16%). In addition, nearly half (44%)
of parents would consider a study abroad programme, with parents in Asia the most likely to consider this
type of international experience for their child: Indonesia (58%), Malaysia (56%) and Singapore (53%).
Parents recognise the benefits of an international university education for their child’s future career:
better job prospects (40%) and improved income-earning potential (35%) are seen as key benefits.
However, the higher cost associated with an international university education is seen by parents as a
barrier to their child studying at university abroad: parents say the higher cost to them (48%) or to their
child (34%) is a potential barrier. Parents in Malaysia (64%) and Singapore (63%) are the most likely to
say that higher cost is a potential barrier to them. Managing finances between countries is also seen a
barrier: a fifth (20%) of parents say the complexity of managing finances between different
countries/currencies is a potential barrier to completing an international university education.
Parents’ ambitions go beyond higher education, with over three quarters (78%) having a particular career
path in mind for their child. The most preferred occupations are medicine (16%), engineering (12%) and
computer science (8%).
The report also reveals that income-earning potential (35%) and job security (34%) are the main reasons
why parents would favour a specific occupation for their child. Parents who would prioritise their child’s
future income are in Egypt (52%), Malaysia (45%) and Canada (42%). Job security is seen as the most
important reason for preferring a specific occupation for their child by 46% of parents in Hong Kong, 43%
in China and 41% in Taiwan.
Commenting on these findings, Mr. Stelios Pirpinias, Head of Retail Banking and Marketing of HSBC
Greece, stated:
«In an increasingly difficult job market, many parents encourage their children to study abroad, gaining
valuable experience and knowledge in their efforts to improve their prospects of finding a job in their
respective field combined with a satisfactory income. These reasonable aspirations of parents often
PUBLIC
means higher costs and parents should have made a realistic plan for financing the studies of their
children. At HSBC, we can support them step by step in this direction, helping them understand their
future needs and choose the right tools for the fulfillment of their objectives»
Country
Average
Malaysia
Indonesia
India
US
Australia
Singapore
Taiwan
UK
China
Mexico
UAE
Canada
HK
France
Egypt
% of parents who would
consider a postgraduate
university education for
their child
88%
96%
94%
93%
92%
92%
91%
91%
89%
89%
86%
85%
84%
84%
82%
76%
% of parents who would
consider sending their child
to university abroad
35%
43%
60%
47%
29%
16%
43%
38%
22%
44%
31%
58%
21%
54%
16%
10%
Notes to editors
The Value of Education Foundations for the future report was published in June 2016 and represents the views of
6,241 parents in 15 countries and territories around the world: Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Hong
Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United
States. The findings are based on a survey of parents from a nationally representative sample in each country who
have at least one child aged 23 or younger currently (or soon to be) in education. Over 350 parents (including 150
with a child at university or college) were surveyed in all countries. The research was conducted online by Ipsos
MORI in February and March 2016, with interviews in Egypt conducted face-to-face. .
.For more information visit www.hsbc.com.
The HSBC Group
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves
customers worldwide from around 6,000 offices in over 71 countries and territories in Asia, Europe, North and Latin
America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,596bn at 31 March 2016, HSBC is one of the
world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.
In Greece, HSBC operates since 1981 with presence in Athens and Thessaloniki. HSBC offers banking services to
individuals as well as to corporate and institutional clients.
Disclaimer
The issuance of and details contained in this document, does not constitute an offer or solicitation for, or advice that
you should enter into, the purchase or sale of any deposit, security, commodity or other investment product or
investment agreement, HSBC BANK PLC, Greece is not advising you in respect hereof; does not undertake any
obligation or responsibility towards the recipient whose decision has been based on this document
ends/all
PUBLIC
The issuance of and details contained in this document, does not constitute an offer or solicitation for, or advice that you should enter into, the purchase or sale of any deposit,
security, commodity or other investment product or investment agreement, HSBC BANK PLC, Greece is not advising you in respect hereof; does not undertake any obligation or
responsibility towards the recipient whose decision has been based on this document.