'The incentives for individuals to stay on in education are likely to rise over the next years, given the economic environment,' the OECD said.

It also says education pays off for governments, since better educated societies are always richer.

'The potential social consequences may last even longer,' the Paris-based economic-research body added, quoting data it is releasing this year for the first time on how healthy people feel, how interested they are in politics and interpersonal trust.

'Students who complete upper secondary education are much more likely to report good health,' it said, while tertiary-educated people tend to be better citizens, with political interests and a 'belief that most people try to be fair.'