The two pie charts illustrate the distribution of the highest education levels attained by women in Sri Lanka in 1965 and 1995. Overall, it is evident that educational standards improved dramatically over the three decades, characterized by a transition from basic or no schooling to advanced academic qualifications.
In 1965, the majority of women had limited formal education. Specifically, 44% had completed six years of schooling, while 35% had received no schooling at all. Only 18% reached the 12-year level, and a mere 3% were graduates, with no women recorded as having postgraduate qualifications. This indicates a population where primary education was the ceiling for most.
By 1995, the educational landscape had transformed completely. The percentage of women with no schooling dropped to 0%, and those with only six years of schooling decreased to 20%. Conversely, higher education levels saw remarkable growth. The proportion of women completing 12 years of schooling rose to 25%, while the graduate and postgraduate segments surged to 35% and 20%, respectively. Consequently, by 1995, more than half of the female population had attained at least a graduate-level education, marking a profound improvement in academic achievement compared to 1965.