Education and training remain at the heart of Europe’s economic and social future. The latest data from 2024 paints a detailed picture of how young people and adults across the

European Union are learning, qualifying, and moving into the labour market — and where challenges still remain.

One of the most encouraging signs is graduate employment. Across the EU, 82.3% of recent graduates aged 20 to 34 were employed in 2024, highlighting the strong link between education and job opportunities. This figure reflects continued demand for skilled workers and the role of education in supporting economic resilience.

However, the data also reveals persistent gaps. Early leaving from education and training remains a concern, particularly among young men. In 2024, 10.9% of young men and 7.7% of young women left education early, having completed no more than lower secondary education. These early exits can limit long-term employment prospects and widen social inequalities.

At the same time, overall educational attainment among young people remains high. More than 84% of those aged 20 to 24 achieved at least an intermediate level of education, indicating strong participation in upper secondary and vocational pathways across most EU countries.

Lifelong learning is another key focus area. In an economy shaped by digitalisation and rapid skills change, continuous learning is increasingly important. In 2024, 15% of unemployed adults aged 25 to 64 reported having a recent learning experience, showing that upskilling and reskilling are becoming essential tools for returning to work.

To help readers explore these trends in depth, the online publication Education and training in the EU – facts and figures brings together the latest official statistics. It covers a wide range of topics, including participation in education, learning mobility, education staff, public investment in education, and language learning.

Together, these insights offer a clear snapshot of where education in the EU is succeeding — and where targeted action is still needed to support learners of all ages in a rapidly changing world. Photo by Wentao Jiang, Wikimedia commons.