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Indian teenagers are flocking into higher education while most poor white males and black youths remain alienated from university, according to the latest figures, writes Alan Thomson.

The Youth Cohort Study, a government survey of 16 to 18-year-olds in England and Wales, shows that 40 per cent of 18-year-old Indians - 43 per cent of males and 36 per cent of females - were in higher education last year.

These rates are nearly double the 23 per cent average for all ethnic groups, including whites. They are far above the 13 per cent participation rates of 18-year-old white males from poor backgrounds and the 11 per cent of black teenagers, male and female.

The gap between those from manual and wealthier non-manual backgrounds is stark. Some 35 per cent of white teenagers from wealthier families were in higher education, compared with 15 per cent of those from manual backgrounds. Poor 51¹ú²úÊÓƵns seemed to suffer less alienation: of all 51¹ú²úÊÓƵns from manual backgrounds, 29 per cent were in higher education.

Across the board, white females had more success than their male counterparts. Of those from non-manual backgrounds 37 per cent were seeking a degree or sub-degree qualification, compared with 34 per cent of males from comparable backgrounds.