The 2018 edition of the report, "Education and Training Monitor" by the European Commission, shows Member States have made progress in meeting targets, such as the want to “reach the employment rate of recent graduates to 82%” by 2020. However, there is still work to do.

Education and training specialists theknowledgeacademy.com delved into the data to find out the current employment rate of recent graduates across Europe, to compare which country currently houses the most – and least – successful grads.

The Knowledge Academy found Malta currently has the highest employment rate of recent graduates in Europe, at 94.5%. It is followed by Germany (90.9%) and the Netherlands (90.4%.)

Slightly behind these three countries, but with impressive rates still, are the Czech Republic (89.9%), Austria (89.4%), Luxembourg (88.5%), and Sweden (88.3%).

In the UK, recent graduates have an employment rate of 86.6% - over 4% higher than the European average Member States are striving for.

Thereafter, the employment rate of recent graduates across Europe begins to decline ever slightly. In Latvia, we reach a rate of 78.0%, while Bulgaria (77.7%), Finland (77.0%) and Romania (76.0%) follow.

The three countries with the lowest employment rate of recent graduates are Croatia (65.9%), Italy (55.2%), and Greece (52.0%).

Joseph Scott, a spokesperson for theknowledgeacademy.com comments: "We’re not worlds away from achieving the average employment rate Member States are striving for. Almost half the countries included in our table meet the grade; whilst a few even exceed it. It is therefore encouraging for countries with lower rates, such as Greece, Italy and Croatia, who will hopefully utilise the comparable data to improve circumstances for their graduates. After all, investing in education across Europe will benefit everyone. If we produce graduates who can make a success of their life, we can create a sustainable workforce of confident and competitive grads ready to overcome anything."

Additionally, new findings published by the Department for Education show earnings in 2016/17 for British graduates have increased to £19,900 one year after graduating and £23,300 three years after graduating. This affirms the financial benefits a degree can bring students.