Review education policies

Examine the OECD's extensive research and analysis of education policy around the world. Get a quick overview of key insights and policy options for a wide range of topics in education. Or delve deeper into the OECD knowledge base through quick and easy access to related websites and publications.


Education is complex. Policies and practices, as well as inputs, processes and outcomes, stand in a dynamic relationship with each other. Explore how different topics can be related through a visual network of education policy.


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Navigate the policy network to explore the world of education or use the search box to go directly to a thematic page of your choice. 

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Note

The development of education policies always needs to take into account country-specific traditions and features of respective education systems. Not all policy options are equally relevant for different countries, different contexts give rise to different priorities. In some countries, policy suggestions may already be in place; in others, they may have less relevance owing to specific social, economic and educational structures and traditions. Policy options rather distil potentially useful ideas and lessons from the experiences of countries that have been searching for ways to improve their education system. As policy options are removed from their wider analytical context, it is strongly advised that readers should refer back to the original OECD source for the fuller picture.

Future of education

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Underlying a host of recent technological, political, economic and demographic transformations across the world is the recognition of their global scale. Thanks to AI advances, decreasing transportation costs, evolution of international agreements, and integration of markets, people, goods and services travel more easily than ever bringing to societies both, increased diversity, but also a growing uniformity of experiences and challenges. Migration, climate change, interdependency of financial markets, urbanisation, changes in family configurations, ageing societies, increasing public spending, and growing inequalities are just some of the current trends faced by governments around the world. Many of such deep transformations require not only local, but also global solutions. Education systems are certainly influenced by these trends, but they also have the power to transform these changes into assets for the future.  More

Research & Innovation in education

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Innovation in education enhances learning, teaching, and policy through advances in ICT, neuroscience, and learning sciences. However, integrating research into practice remains a challenge due to gaps in knowledge mobilisation and accessibility. Stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and educators, along with better funding and digital tools, can drive effective reforms. Governments play a key role by promoting evidence-based policies, fostering strategic leadership, and supporting continuous innovation to better prepare students for future demands.  More

Career guidance

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Career decision-making is increasingly complex as individuals navigate a wider range of options in a fast-changing labour market. Lifelong learning has replaced the notion of preparing for a single career, making career guidance essential. Effective guidance provides information on education pathways, training, and job prospects, boosting confidence and improving alignment between education and employment. However, challenges such as undertrained counseling staff, fragmented services, and limited access to labour market data weaken its impact. To be effective, career guidance must equip individuals with long-term career management skills and be accessible throughout life. Strengthening staff training, improving real-time labour market insights, and ensuring sustainable funding are key to making career guidance a vital tool for lifelong learning and employment success.  More

Access & participation
Student mobility
Career guidance
Student outcomes
Adult competencies
Education attainment
Organisation & governance
Public & private stakeholders
School autonomy
School choice
Parental involvement
Financing education
Sources of funding
Use and allocation of public funds
Student support
School resources
Learning environment
Class size & student-teacher ratio
Curriculum & instruction time
Learning time & disciplinary climate
Student engagement and motivation
Students' well-being
Equity
Gender
Socio-economic status
Migrant background
Special needs
Digital divide
Economic & social outcomes
Labour market outcomes
Earnings
Social & health outcomes
Public returns
Regional development
Teachers & educators
Teacher practices
Teacher initial education
Teacher professional development
Teacher employment
Teacher working conditions
Education leadership
School leader preparation and development
School leader employment
School leader working conditions
Evaluation & quality assurance
Student assessment
Teacher appraisal
School leader appraisal
School evaluation
System evaluation
Future of education & skills
Education for innovation
Research & innovation in education