Exam changes blamed for dip in student results in Sunderland
A*-C, or 9-4, or the equivalents such as apprenticeships, NVQs and diplomas.
It means 80% of young people in the area had level 2 qualifications – up from 79% in 2017-18, but below the national average of 82%.
Across England, level 2 attainment dropped for the fourth consecutive year in 2018-19, from a high of 86% in 2014-15.
The gap between those living in the most and least deprived areas of the country also widened to 18% last year – the largest in eight years.
The figures include 19-year-olds who were in mainstream state schools in year 11.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL, said: "The fall in attainment is caused by the Government’s decision to downgrade the importance of some vocational qualifications and AS-Levels, and to place a greater focus on GCSEs and A-Levels.
“This is a great shame as vocational qualifications and AS-Levels serve many students very well.
“Unsurprisingly, this process has therefore resulted in a widening of the attainment gap between the most and least deprived areas."
A DfE spokesman said the national figures represented an increase compared to 2009-10.
He added: “We have made good progress raising the standard of education and training on offer for young people.
“We are taking bold steps to further boost the quality of vocational and technical education to ensure those qualifications give students the skills they need for further study or to get a job.
"New, world class T-levels, to be launched in September, will help more young people acquire the skills they need to fulfil their potential.”