SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Institutions: Ministry of Education
The report reveals that adult learning participation is both limited and unequal across member countries, with only 40% of adults engaging in formal or non-formal learning annually - ranging from 58% in high-performing systems like Finland and Norway to just 13% in Korea. Participation shows little improvement over the past decade, and structural disparities persist: adults with lower education, income, or in low-skilled jobs participate the least.
Paradoxically, narrowing gaps often reflect declines among advantaged groups, not improved access for disadvantaged ones. Non-formal learning dominates adult education but is frequently short - 42% lasting a day or less - often focused on compliance topics like health and safety, rather than emerging green or digital skills.
The report argues that superficial engagement without progression pathways undermines deeper skills development needed for future workforce transitions. To address this, it recommends systemic redesign: expanding access through training leave policies, financial incentives such as individual learning accounts, flexible modular learning formats, targeted support for underrepresented groups, and better alignment of learning with labour market needs via real-time data and recognition of prior learning.
Follow the full report here: