Methodology
Education and training statistics are based on 4 main data sources.
The joint UNESCO-OECD-Eurostat (UOE) data collection covers ‘formal education’. This refers to education which is
- institutionalised
- intentional and planned
- provided by public organizations and recognised private bodies
The statistics cover formal education provided within the territory of the reporting country, regardless of the ownership or sponsorship of the institutions and the education delivery mechanism (presential or distance learning).
The reference period for non-monetary education data, such as students enrolled and entrants, is the school or academic year. For example, 2021 refers to the school/academic year 2020-21. For expenditure data, the reference period is the financial year.
Links to detailed information
The AES provides an overview of adult learning, i.e. of the participation of adults in education and training, meaning in formal, non-formal, and informal learning. Up to 2016, AES covers people aged 25-64, and from 2022 people aged 18-69.
The reference period for the participation in education and training is the 12 months prior to the interview. A pilot survey took place around the year 2007, and a full AES was implemented in 2011-12, 2016-17 and 2022-23.
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The CVTS collects information on how much businesses invest in the continuing vocational training of their staff.
The reference period is the calendar year and data are collected every 5 years. The most recent year for which data are available is 2020.
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The EU Labour force survey (LFS) provides annual data for several education and training indicators:
- ‘adult participation in learning,’ which is the participation of people aged 25 to 64 in education and training, whether formal or non-formal. The reference period for the participation in education and training is the 4 weeks prior to the interview.
- statistics on educational attainment and educational outcomes, such as ‘early leavers from education and training.’ Statistics are also available for ‘young people neither in employment nor in education and training – NEET,’ or the labour situation of young people shortly after graduation.
Links to detailed information
Classifications
- International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
- ISCED-F 2013 - ISCED Fields of Education and Training 2013
- Classification of learning activities (CLA)
- Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS)
- Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community (NACE)
- International standard classification of occupations (ISCO)