Learning throughout life is the driving force of our social and economic progress. It contributes to people’s employability and professional growth as well as to their personal development and well-being. Continuous learning can also help us face important challenges, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift towards a digital and environmentally sustainable European society.
However, survey data show that around one fifth of adults aged 25-64 in the European Union have not completed upper secondary education and that these adults are less likely to participate in education and training compared to those with higher educational attainment levels. Moreover, many adults in Europe have low levels of literacy, numeracy or digital skills.
In Austria, the report assesses the overall situation positively. The country is characterised by a low share of low-skilled adults in the population and a high participation rate of population in education and training. Moreover, Austria in comparison provides many policies and measures to promote education and training for adults.