Overeducation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The condition of having acquired more education than is necessary for a particular job or role
2. A scenario where individuals are trained beyond the requirements of the labor market, often leading to skill underutilization
3. The phenomenon where higher levels of education do not translate into corresponding job opportunities or appropriate employment

Etymology: Overeducation is a plain compound: the prefix "over-" attached to "education," which goes back through Old French to Latin "educatio," a rearing or bringing up. The prefix "over-" in this sense means "more than is needed or appropriate," so the word describes a mismatch between a person's schooling and the demands of their job, rather than any kind of excess in learning itself.