Learn English – “low educated”? “poorly educated”? Other

adjectivescollocationpast-participles

Sample sentence: "In contrast, low educated women who are employed in low-fertility countries are more likely to decide against second childbirth than those who are not employed."

That sounds awkward. Is there a more standard way of saying that in academia?

"Lower educated" doesn't seem much better. "Poorly educated" sounds rather qualitative, judgmental and pejorative.

Related: "High educated"? "Middle educated"?

Best Answer

I'd use unschooled:

  • Not educated or instructed; having little or no formal schooling. (AHD)
  • In contrast, unschooled women who are employed in low-fertility countries...

By contrast you can refer to women with a middle or high level of education