´Key Data on Education in Europe´ combines statistical data and qualitative information to provide an
exceptionally wide-ranging overview of the organisation and functioning of European education systems, as well as an insight into the ways in which the countries concerned are responding to common challenges in education. This seventh edition appears in the context of a very severe economic, social and financial crisis,which is one of the most important challenges the EU has ever faced. In preparing the grounds for recovery as well as ensuring long-term economic and social stability, and in a context where education represents almost 11 % of EU public expenditure, it remains more than ever essential to ensure that this expenditure is efficiently and equitably spent. In this context, for example, demographic change should be seen as an opportunity to assess what changes are needed to ensure efficient, effective and equitable Lifelong Learning systems in these new circumstances.

If we look at the current state of education systems in Europe we can see many positive trends. Participation rates in pre-primary education have increased. As part of efforts to ensure that young people acquire core competences there has been a rise in the number of years of compulsory education, and some countries require pupils to continue beyond the compulsory age in order to obtain a certificate of basic education. Higher education has seen a massive rise in the number of students, in particular in the younger age groups and female students. In the EU-27, the share of GDP given over to education has largely remained stable, and some countries have even increased social investment in human capital over the last years.

Este recurso fué publicado originalmente en la comunidad Forma: la nueva Formación Profesional.