With New Zealand officially in recession will school-leavers lose-out while universities benefit?
Longitudinal research from the UK suggests recession-era school-leavers face life-long difficulties finding and keeping a job; and have lower earning potential.
Kathryn Ryan speaks with Nick Hillman, director of the UK's Higher Education Policy Institute.
He says when young people struggle to find work, universities can expect an increase in domestic students, while graduates may decide to continue-on with their studies instead of braving stiff competition for jobs.