In 2021, the adult participation rate in lifelong learning was 11% in the EU. This is an increase compared with 2020 (9%) and is the same share as recorded in 2019, according to figures published January 30 by Eurostat.
The participation rates in nearly all the EU countries increased steadily between 2011 and 2021, with the exceptions of Denmark (-10 percentage points, or pp) and Czechia (-6 pp). The largest increases were recorded in the Netherlands (+10 pp), Sweden (+9 pp) and Finland (+7 pp).
In 2021, the highest shares of adult participation in learning were recorded in Sweden (35%), Finland (31%) and the Netherlands (27%).
At the other end of the scale, the lowest shares of adult participation in learning were recorded in Bulgaria (2%), Greece (4%), and Slovakia, Romania, Croatia and Poland (all 5%).
Among the Baltic states the figures were 18.4% for Estonia, 8.6% for Latvia and 8.5% for Lithuania.