One of the overriding trends of the recession amongst graduates is simply to continue educating themselves, racking up masters and pHDs, putting off entering the market place in the hope things will eventually pick up.

Much has been written about what a bad idea this is, with entrepeneurs like Peter Thiel suggesting university is a bad investment in the first place.

But according to one study, the lifelong students are right. A study by  McKinsey has found that the next big employment trend will be a shortage in highly educated workers from advanced economies. Talent is predicted to be thin on the ground, as an 18 million shortfall in skilled workers is on its way.

Here's a graphic from McKinsey: