Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union

E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development

e-mail contact: ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu

The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 4 on quality education, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'A Europe fit for a digital age', 'An economy that works for people'and 'Promoting our European way of life'.

SDG 4 seeks to ensure people have access to equitable and quality education through all stages of life, from early childhood education and care, through primary and secondary schooling, to technical, vocational training and tertiary education.

The Council of the European Union on 26 February 2021 adopted the Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030), a framework that addresses five strategic priorities: (1) Improving quality, equity, inclusion and success for all in education and training; (2) Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality for all; (3) Enhancing competences and motivation in the education profession; (4) Reinforcing European higher education; and (5) Supporting green and digital transitions in and through education and training.

The indicator is included as secondary indicator in the Social Scoreboard for the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Adult learning is crucial for maintaining good health, remaining active in the community and being fully included in all aspects of society, as well as improving and developing skills, adapting to technical developments, advancing a career or returning to the labour market.

The indicator measures the share of people aged 25 to 64 who stated that they received formal or non-formal education and training in the four weeks preceding the survey (numerator). The denominator consists of the total population of the same age group, excluding those who did not answer to the question 'participation in education and training'. Adult learning covers both general and vocational formal and non-formal learning activities. Adult learning usually refers to learning activities after the end of initial education. Data stem from the EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS).

% of the population aged 25 to 64

Calendar year

The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).

ESS (EU-LFS)

Data source:European Statistical System (ESS); EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS)

Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.

Every year

The indicator is updated annually in April. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.

T+1 year

New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.

All EU MS

Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.

All EU MS

Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.

> 10 years

Presented times series start in 2000; EU aggregates are reported since 2002.

< 3 data points

Length of comparable time series without methodological break is less than 3 data points.

Break in time series in 2021 was due to the entry into force of the Integrated European Social Statistics Framework Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1700) and is fully detailed in the Eurostat dedicated article LFS – correction for breaks in time series.

There are breaks in time series in several countries, mainly due to changes in the LFS questionnaire (improved implementation of the variables to measure participation in education and training).

Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).

See table  sdg_04_60

Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/sdi/overview

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