Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Education in Europe - Statistics & Facts
The most successful education systems of the future will arguably be the ones that are able to adapt the fastest to new technologies and offer their students access to digital infrastructure. Education plays a vital role in Europe's economic and social development, where diverse education systems exist, each with unique philosophies and learning approaches. This diversity is evident in the latest PISA results, which highlight significant variations in education levels across the continent.
The country that had the highest education spending in Europe was Iceland, at 7.1 percent of GDP, while the country that has increased education spending the most was Romania with a 17.6 percent year-on-year rise in education expenditure. In terms of salaries, Luxembourg has the best-paid teachers at both primary and secondary level, with average starting salaries being 71.6 thousands U.S. dollars and 81.2 thousands U.S dollars respectively.
As more and more people obtain degrees, and the modern economy becomes steadily more complex, there is also an increasing demand for lifelong learning, as both employer and employee seek to improve their skillsets. Part of the way this is provided is through educational technology (EdTech) such as online courses or through learning apps. While European EdTech companies are smaller than their competitors in the United States or China, investment in European EdTech is increasing, with 839 million U.S dollars invested in European EdTech in 2024, compared with just 169 million U.S. dollars in 2014.
Which countries lead in education performance?
Overall, the most recent PISA results showed that Estonian students were the best educated in Europe, leading in all three categories—Reading, Mathematics, and Science. One of the reasons for this trend is that, like its Scandinavian neighbors, Estonian schools have greater integration of new technologies in classrooms. For instance, 91 percent of Estonian secondary schools have access to Wi-Fi compared with the European average of 67 percent. Estonia also spends a relatively high share of its gross domestic product on education, at 5.8 percent of GDP, compared with the EU average of 4.7 percent.The country that had the highest education spending in Europe was Iceland, at 7.1 percent of GDP, while the country that has increased education spending the most was Romania with a 17.6 percent year-on-year rise in education expenditure. In terms of salaries, Luxembourg has the best-paid teachers at both primary and secondary level, with average starting salaries being 71.6 thousands U.S. dollars and 81.2 thousands U.S dollars respectively.
Increase in higher and continuing education and growing EdTech market
Although compulsory education is still the main learning experience for most people, an increasing number of Europeans are participating in higher education and obtaining degrees. As of 2023, approximately 43 percent of young Europeans had obtained a degree, with Cyprus having the highest share of 30-34 year old graduates at 65.3 percent. Europe is also home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world such as Oxford and Cambridge, which were the highest ranked universities in Europe in 2025.As more and more people obtain degrees, and the modern economy becomes steadily more complex, there is also an increasing demand for lifelong learning, as both employer and employee seek to improve their skillsets. Part of the way this is provided is through educational technology (EdTech) such as online courses or through learning apps. While European EdTech companies are smaller than their competitors in the United States or China, investment in European EdTech is increasing, with 839 million U.S dollars invested in European EdTech in 2024, compared with just 169 million U.S. dollars in 2014.
