OTTAWA--A report released yesterday by Statistics Canada and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows Canada falling behind other countries in the number of young adults with college or university degrees.

"While the government talks about competing globally, we are falling behind in graduating educated workers," said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "With fewer residents getting college and university degrees than other countries, Canada is failing to adapt to the new economy."

In the report Canada drops from fourth place for those aged 55 to 64 holding a degree to twelfth for the 25 to 34 age group. In addition, OECD numbers show that one-fifth of 15 to 19 year-old Canadians are no longer pursuing an education, higher than most other OECD countries.

"Record high tuition fees are causing young Canadians to not enroll in college or university," said Giroux-Bougard. "Without improving access to post-secondary education Canada will not be able to compete in a knowledge-based economy."

Tuition fees are the single largest expense for most college and university students. Statistics Canada's Youth in Transition survey found that the most frequently reported reason high school students did not go on to enroll in college or university was financial.

Founded in 1981, the Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more that one-half million students from all ten provinces.