Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Primary and secondary education in Italy - statistics & facts
Italy's education system is currently facing numerous challenges. Education does not rank highly in public expenditure, and the number of new pupils is reducing each year due to the country's demographic crisis. Moreover, high school students recorded a weak performance in mathematics and science compared to other European countries. Finally, teaching staff must contend with low salaries and high job instability.
Typically, non-tertiary education in Italy ranges from six to 19 years of age, although some leave at the age of 16. The school year usually starts in the second week of September and finishes at the beginning of June, without major breaks during the year.
Lower secondary education (middle school) starts at eleven years old and continues for three years. The number of pupils enrolled at middle schools reached 1.67 million in 2023. Students must pass a school-leaving exam to enroll at high schools after the third year.
Trade unions have repeatedly voiced for a wage increase and extension of working contracts to stabilize the school workforce, but the response appears ineffective for inverting the trend so far.
Typically, non-tertiary education in Italy ranges from six to 19 years of age, although some leave at the age of 16. The school year usually starts in the second week of September and finishes at the beginning of June, without major breaks during the year.
Primary and middle school
Before mandatory education, children can attend preschool facilities, such as nurseries for babies at least three months old and kindergartens for children aged between three and six. Primary school, lasting for five years, counted 2.49 million children enrolled in 2023.Lower secondary education (middle school) starts at eleven years old and continues for three years. The number of pupils enrolled at middle schools reached 1.67 million in 2023. Students must pass a school-leaving exam to enroll at high schools after the third year.
Upper secondary school: liceo, istituto tecnico, or istituto professionale
Around 44 percent of the Italian population hold at least an upper secondary education title. The upper secondary education system comprises three different schooling paths, lasting five years: general high school (Liceo), technical high school (Istituto tecnico), and vocational school (Istituto professionale). Liceo offers a solid education on general culture and knowledge and a specific preparation for university studies. Instead, istituto tecnico provides very good general and scientific education, while granting students greater opportunities upon entering the job market after graduating. Lastly, istituto professionale prepares students for a specific profession, insisting on practical skills. At the end of their final year, students must take a school-leaving exam, the Esame di Maturità .Inefficient public spending and teachers’ job insecurity
In recent years, the amount of public investment in education has constantly expanded. Most of the budget was earmarked for secondary education, while 29 billion euros were allocated for primary schools. However, public spending recorded significantly lower figures compared to the EU average, with only four percent of GDP spent on education. Teachers’ temporary employment and low wages are chronic problems of the Italian public school system. One quarter of the instructors do not have a permanent contract, meaning that they must undergo a new recruitment procedure each year. Additionally, teachers’ actual salaries rank among the lowest in Europe, with high school teachers earning 33,000 euros gross in 2022.Trade unions have repeatedly voiced for a wage increase and extension of working contracts to stabilize the school workforce, but the response appears ineffective for inverting the trend so far.
