Italy

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Italy
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In Italy, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 22.3% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 44.7% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 33% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • In upper secondary education, 73.2% complete their education within the theoretical programme duration (OECD average : 76.2%), while 83.7% of new entrants complete a general or vocational programme within two years after the end of the theoritical programme (OECD average : 84.9%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 3.4% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 0.4% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, Italy allocated an average of 6.8% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 3.6% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 15385 equivalent USD for tertiary education in Italy (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 15367 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 6.1% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 15.7% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 15.9% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 23.3% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • On-site work varies with the level of education, while 27.8% of tertiary-educated workers sometimes or usually work from home in Italy (OECD average : 42.5%), 9.8% of workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment did so (OECD average : 17.7%).
  • In Italy, annual typical teaching hours were 752 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 616 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
  • Women represent 98.3% of pre-primary teaching staff in Italy (OECD average : 95.9%) and 75.8% in lower secondary education (OECD average : 68.2%).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Ministries of Education, Universities and Research, in Italian) | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Italy |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19.1 %, rank 8/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.9 %, rank 9/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (33 %, rank 8/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (22.3 %, rank 37/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (31.1 %, rank 37/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.9 %, rank 37/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who have attained a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary qualification is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (32.9 %, rank 10/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Italy has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-olds whose highest education level is a short-cycle tertiary education degree. (0.1 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of 25-64 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.4 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a vocational degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (35.5 %, rank 9/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of short-cycle tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.3 %, rank 28/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of short-cycle tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 34/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (13.5 %, rank 36/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-64 year-old men who have attained a general degree at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.6 %, rank 38/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-old women who have attained a general degree at the tertiary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (25.9 %, rank 37/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (24.7 %, rank 38/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 35-44 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (22.2 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 45-54 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (16.9 %, rank 39/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 55-64 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.2 %, rank 38/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (37.8 %, rank 35/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 45-54 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23.7 %, rank 36/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 55-64 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.5 %, rank 36/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Italy has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old men whose highest education level is a short-cycle tertiary education degree. (0.1 %, rank 33/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Italy has one of the smallest shares of 25-64 year-old women whose highest education level is a short-cycle tertiary education degree. (0.1 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of 25-64 year-old men who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (5 %, rank 38/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old women who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (7.8 %, rank 36/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old men who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (0.6 %, rank 29/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in Italy is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (21.7 %, rank 8/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained below upper secondary education in Italy is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (16.3 %, rank 9/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained a short cycle tertiary degree is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 30/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained a short cycle tertiary degree is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.4 %, rank 28/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education in Italy is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (38.9 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    The share of female new entrants integrating short-cycle tertiary programmes in Italy is comparatively small. (27.7 %, rank 34/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the average age of new entrants in doctoral programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (28.6 Years, rank 35/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of first-time entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (3.8 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    In Italy, the percentage of female students enrolled in upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (36.4 %, rank 38/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Enrolment of students aged 15–19 in lower secondary programmes placed Italy among the lowest internationally. (0.8 %, rank 38/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of female students in lower secondary general programmes was among the smallest internationally. (48.1 %, rank 38/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The average age of post-secondary non-tertiary students enrolled in vocational programmes in Italy is among the lowest. (27.6 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary programmes in Italy is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (75.2 %, rank 3/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary vocational programmes in Italy is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (38 %, rank 8/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students enrolled in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (37 %, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    In Italy, the average age of post-secondary non-tertiary graduates from vocational programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data (25.7 Years, rank 22/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the largest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (61.4 %, rank 3/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (39 %, rank 34/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female graduates among post-secondary non-tertiary graduates from vocational programmes in Italy is relatively low. (39 %, rank 24/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of female first-time graduates in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (25.7 %, rank 25/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.6 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of education in Italy is relatively small. (1.1 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively low. (0 %, rank 21/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of post-secondary non-tertiary vocational graduates in the field of services is relatively low. (9.4 %, rank 16/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    The proportion of female tertiary graduates in business, administration and law is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (17 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male tertiary graduates in the field of education is relatively low in Italy. (1.3 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (47.5 %, rank 29/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (75.4 %, rank 23/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (66.6 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (50.6 %, rank 31/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (67.2 %, rank 34/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of services is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (38.6 %, rank 31/33 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    A relatively low share of upper secondary students complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (73.2 %, rank 18/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (43.9 %, rank 19/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively low share of students in upper secondary general programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (47.2 %, rank 17/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of education is relatively low. (4.9 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low. (15.6 %, rank 26/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is relatively low. (2.9 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of health and welfare is relatively low. (9 %, rank 25/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in field of health and welfare is relatively small. (0 %, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of education is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (1.2 %, rank 26/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 28/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of new entrants in business, administration and law bachelor's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.4 %, rank 31/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of new entrants in business, administration and law master's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.1 %, rank 30/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of new entrants in information and communication technologies bachelor's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (3.1 %, rank 31/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of new entrants in information and communication tecnologies master's programmes is one of the smallest, compared to other countries with available data. (1.9 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of new entrants in health and welfare bachelor's programmes is relatively small, compared to other countries with available data. (6.7 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    Italy has a small share of international students among tertiary graduates compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (2.2 %, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of international students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 28/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of international students among first-time short-cycle tertiary graduates is relatively low. (0 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of international students among first-time bachelor's graduates is relatively low. (2.2 %, rank 27/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of international students among first-time master's graduates is relatively low. (6.9 %, rank 26/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of international students among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively low. (10.3 %, rank 24/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 29/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of business, administration and law among all international or foreign tertiary students in Italy is relatively low. (14.2 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of students enrolled in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among all international or foreign students is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (35.7 %, rank 9/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Italy, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (33.9 %, rank 27/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of employed adults aged 45-64 participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest in Italy compared with other countries with available data. (31.6 %, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in Italy was among the lowest across countries with available data. (32.6 %, rank 27/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of unemployed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (21.6 %, rank 25/28 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among unemployed adults aged 25-64, the share participating in non-formal education or training in Italy was among the lowest across countries with available data. (20.4 %, rank 27/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of adults aged 25-44 outside the labour force participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (13.3 %, rank 25/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of adults aged 45-64 outside the labour force participating in non-formal education or training was among the lowest in Italy compared with other countries with available data. (4.8 %, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 outside the labour force, participation in non-formal education or training in Italy was among the lowest across countries with available data. (7.6 %, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the largest across countries with available data. (67.9 %, rank 3/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who reported never having participated in non-formal education or training was among the highest in Italy compared with other countries with available data. (39.9 %, rank 4/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 with tertiary attainment, the share reporting never having participated in non-formal education or training in Italy was among the largest across countries with available data. (23.4 %, rank 3/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15385 USD Equivalent, rank 30/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student, excluding R&D activities, is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10534 USD Equivalent, rank 30/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for core educational services on tertiary education in Italy is comparatively low. (9808 USD Equivalent, rank 34/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13154 USD Equivalent, rank 30/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Italy, expenditure on tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively low. (1 %, rank 32/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government and private expenditure in education

    In Italy, total government expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of total government expenditure is comparatively low. (6.8 %, rank 39/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, total government expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of total government expenditure is comparatively low. (1.9 %, rank 38/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, total government expenditure on secondary educational institutions as a percentage of total government expenditure is comparatively low. (3.2 %, rank 39/43 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Total government expenditure on education as a percentage of total government expenditure, for primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Italy compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.1 %, rank 39/42 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Italy, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.5 %, rank 28/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (93.5 %, rank 8/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    In Italy, primary public schools have among the fewest instruction days per school year across OECD and partner countries with available data. (171 Days, rank 39/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, lower secondary public schools have among the fewest instruction days per school year across OECD and partner countries with available data. (171 Days, rank 38/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, upper secondary public schools have among the fewest instruction days per school year across OECD and partner countries with available data. (171 Days, rank 36/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of teachers younger than 30 in secondary schools is among the smallest compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.8 %, rank 36/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in primary education is one of the largest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (93.8 %, rank 5/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in lower secondary education is one of the largest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (75.8 %, rank 10/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (39.7 %, rank 35/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary teachers younger than 30 is especially low. (4.9 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of lower secondary teachers younger than 30 is especially low. (4.1 %, rank 36/39 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers younger than 30 is especially low. (4.9 %, rank 40/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (36.8 %, rank 41/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of upper secondary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (40.9 %, rank 39/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is especially low. (40.8 %, rank 39/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of primary to upper secondary teachers older than 50 is especially high. (54.3 %, rank 3/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (43.4 %, rank 34/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of tertiary teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (43.4 %, rank 35/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (1.1 %, rank 35/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of tertiary teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (1.1 %, rank 35/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of teachers under 30 in pre-primary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.3 %, rank 36/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of teachers aged between 30 and 49 in pre-primary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.7 %, rank 37/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In upper secondary general education, the percentage of teachers under 30 in Italy is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (4.7 %, rank 33/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the percentage of upper secondary general education teachers aged between 30 and 49 is relatively low, compared to the other countries with available data. (39.6 %, rank 33/36 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    Compared to 2015, the change in statutory salaries for primary education teachers with 15 years of experience and the most prevalent qualifications in Italy was relatively small. (89 Index, rank 31/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to 2015, the change in statutory salaries for lower secondary education teachers with 15 years of experience and the most prevalent qualifications in Italy was relatively small. (89 Index, rank 32/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to 2015, the change in statutory salaries for upper secondary education teachers with 15 years of experience and the most prevalent qualifications in Italy was relatively small. (89 Index, rank 32/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, average actual salaries for lower secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the lowest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (53992 USD Equivalent, rank 25/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, average actual salaries for upper secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the lowest across OECD and partner countries with available data. (57427 USD Equivalent, rank 25/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary female teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year women workers with tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.8 Ratio, rank 25/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary male teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year men workers with tertiary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.57 Ratio, rank 25/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The average actual salary of 25-64 year-old lower secondary female teachers is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (54204 USD Equivalent, rank 22/27 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The average actual salary of 25-64 year-old lower secondary male teachers is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (53300 USD Equivalent, rank 22/27 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 35-44 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are low in Italy. (0.66 Ratio, rank 22/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 45-54 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are low in Italy. (0.59 Ratio, rank 26/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 55-64 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are low in Italy. (0.63 Ratio, rank 26/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the average actual salaries of 35-44 year-old lower-secondary teachers is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (49466 USD Equivalent, rank 22/27 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the average actual salaries of 45-54 year-old lower-secondary teachers is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (54218 USD Equivalent, rank 22/27 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The change in statutory pre-primary teachers' salaries with 15 years of experience, based on most prevalent qualifications at different points in their careers is comparatively small in Italy. (89 Index, rank 25/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    It takes lower secondary teachers longer to progress through the salary scale in Italy compared to other OECD and partner countries. (35 Years, rank 9/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Principals' salaries

    In Italy, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old primary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (156372 USD Equivalent, rank 1/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old lower secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (156372 USD Equivalent, rank 2/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old upper-secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (156372 USD Equivalent, rank 3/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    Between 2015 and 2024, Italy reported a decrease in the number of students enrolled in education. (89 Index, rank 37/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Ratio of student to teaching staff

    The number of students per teacher in primary schools is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner countries with available data. (10.5 Ratio, rank 38/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the number of students per teacher in general upper secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.1 Ratio, rank 33/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the number of students per teacher in private upper secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.6 Ratio, rank 37/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The ratio of students to teaching staff at the upper secondary level in independent private institutions is especially low in Italy. (7.6 Ratio, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    Classes are particularly small in primary schools. (18 Students, rank 29/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in public primary institutions are comparatively small in Italy. (18 Students, rank 33/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (75.9 %, rank 29/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (78.9 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (67.7 %, rank 35/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is relatively low in Italy compared to other participating countries. (74 %, rank 40/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Italy compared to other participating countries. (70 %, rank 35/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (75.8 %, rank 30/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (55.7 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (80.1 %, rank 29/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 35-44 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (71.4 %, rank 32/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 45-54 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education is comparatively low. (80.8 %, rank 25/29 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Italy. (67.9 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Italy. (77.8 %, rank 15/18 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Italy. (78.6 %, rank 36/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively low across participating countries. (37.8 %, rank 32/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is relatively low in Italy compared to other participating countries. (74.7 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is relatively low in Italy compared to other participating countries. (73.5 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Italy compared to other participating countries. (58.7 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (65.4 %, rank 29/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (82.1 %, rank 31/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of employed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (61.1 %, rank 31/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of employed 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (65.7 %, rank 29/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Italy. (48.4 %, rank 34/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Italy. (67.2 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively high across surveyed countries. (8.6 %, rank 10/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is relatively high in Italy compared to other participating countries. (6.3 %, rank 9/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is high in Italy. (23.4 %, rank 5/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is high in Italy. (21.2 %, rank 1/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and skill level

    In Italy, the share of high earners aged 25-64 with low numeracy, literacy and adaptive problem-solving skills in the Adult Skills Survey was among the greatest across countries with available data. (24.1 %, rank 5/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with tertiary education in Italy is relatively high. (12.4 %, rank 9/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 25-29 year-olds in Italy is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23.3 %, rank 6/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds in Italy is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (15.6 %, rank 9/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Social outcomes

    In Italy, the share of employed men aged 25-64 with tertiary education reporting high or very high flexibility in their main job was among the lowest across countries with available data. (27 %, rank 29/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of employed women aged 25-64 with tertiary education reporting high or very high flexibility in their main job was among the lowest across countries with available data. (20.4 %, rank 28/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment, the share who sometimes or usually work from home in Italy was among the smallest across countries with available data. (2 %, rank 27/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Italy, the share of adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who kept worrying about work when not working some or most of the time was among the largest across countries with available data. (40.4 %, rank 8/26 , 2024) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
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            Diagram of funding flows - Italy
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
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            Country Reviews for Italy
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			
            Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. 
			However, OECD averages from Education at a Glance coming from the OECD database are the averages for the indicator reference year appearing in the Education GPS and may differ from averages in the book where averages can include data from multiple reference years, based on countries' data availability.
			

    
			To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026 in the Northern Hemisphere.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Sources Methodologies and Technical Notes 
		of EAG 2025 for more details about the data collections.
		

    
        For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.