Education standards rising across Europe

Education standards rising across EuropeKeywords: Education, Standards, Europe

Education standards are rising across all EU member states, but the rise is fastest in the countries of southern Europe, according to a report from the European statistical office, Eurostat. It shows that, while fewer than half of people aged 50-64 have completed A-levels or their equivalent, the proportion exceeds 70 per cent for those aged 25-29. Despite this improvement, however,close to one young person in five leaves school at the end of compulsory education. Only one in ten leaves school at this level in Austria and the Scandinavian countries, but the figure rises to one in four in Italy and Spain and close to half in Portugal. More males than females leave school at the end of compulsory education. Staying-on rates are highest in Scandinavia, Germany and Austria, and lowest in Portugal, Spain and Italy. This latter group of states, however, is recording the fastest increase in staying-on rates.

An average of 21 per cent of people aged 25-64 now have degrees. The proportions are highest in Finland (31 per cent) and Sweden (29 per cent) and lowest in Austria (11 per cent), Italy (10 per cent) and Portugal (10 per cent). More men (22 per cent) than women (19 per cent) have a degree.