You are here: Cedefop | Statistics and indicators | Education and Training 2020 - benchmarks

Education and Training 2020: European benchmarks

Indicators by theme

 

 

Education and Training 2020: European benchmarks

Indicators and benchmarks are an important means of measuring progress in education and training. In 2009 as part of the Education and Training strategy ("ET 2020"), the Council of the European Union concluded that five reference levels should be established and monitored for measuring progress in the period 2010-2020.

Reference levels of European average performance:

  • Early leavers from education and training: by 2020, the share of early leavers from education and training should be less than 10%.
  • Tertiary level attainment: by 2020, the share of 30-34 year olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 40%.
  • Adult participation in lifelong learning: by 2020, an average of at least 15% of adults (25-64 years old) should participate in lifelong learning
  • Early childhood education: by 2020, at least 95% of children between 4 years old and the age for starting compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education
  • Low achievers in basic skills: by 2020, the share of low-achieving 15-years olds in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15%.

 

Education and Training 2020 (benchmarks) Tables and Graphs Metadata Source
Early leavers from education and training excel
chart
 M info EU LFS, Eurostat
Tertiary level attainment

excel

chart

M

info

 EU LFS, Eurostat
Adult participation in Lifelong learning excel chart M info EU LFS, Eurostat
Early childhood education excel chart M info UOE, Eurostat
Low achievers in basic skills excel
chart
 M info PISA, OECD
Relevant classifications and methodology Document type
EU LFS manual link
UOE data collection on education systems Manual: concepts, definitions and classifications Portable Document Format
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) Portable Document Format
Terminology of vocational training policy (Cedefop publication) link

For more detailed data and further methodological information go to Eurostat.
For general background information, please refer to the European strategy and cooperation in education and training.
For detailed background information, please refer to the Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training ("ET 2020").

This data can be downloaded for free. Users are advised to reference the relevant data source.

European benchmarks should not be considered as concrete targets for individual countries to reach by 2020. Rather, Member States are invited to consider, on the basis of national priorities and whilst taking account of changing economic circumstances, how and to what extent they can contribute to the collective achievement of the European benchmarks through national actions.

European benchmarks for Education and Training 2020 are based on the five previous benchmarks adopted in 2003 under the work programme 2001-2010. However, some indicators and some reference levels have been revised. Information on the 2010 benchmarks is also available in Cedefop website.

 

 

 

 

 

Back

Cedefop uses cookies on this website. Our cookies policy explains what cookies are and how we use them.
You can disable cookies by modifying the settings in your internet browser’s options.
By closing this message, you consent to our cookies policy.