Lifelong learning participation rose to 12% in 2025 among people aged 25 to 64, up from 7.5% in 2015, according to data published by Eurostat on Monday.
The figure refers to people who reported taking part in formal or non-formal education and training during the previous four weeks.
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Across the EU, participation among adults aged 25 to 64 increased from 10.1% in 2015 to 13.7% in 2025.
Eurostat said the overall increase was broadly steady over the decade, apart from a temporary decline in 2020, which was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and related emergency measures.
Sweden recorded the highest participation rate in 2025 at 38.2%, followed by Denmark at 31% and Finland at 28.1%.
The lowest rates were recorded in Greece at 5.2%, Bulgaria at 6.1% and Croatia at 6.5%.
Participation rises across most EU countries
Compared with 2015, adult participation in education and training increased in almost all EU member states.
The largest increases were recorded in Malta, at 12.3 percentage points, Estonia at 11.9 points, Belgium at 11.1 points and Slovenia at 10.9 points.
Declines were recorded only in France, by 3.1 percentage points, Luxembourg, by 0.6 points, and Denmark, by 0.5 points.
Women participate more than men
The Eurostat data also show a gender gap in participation.
In 2025, 14.9% of women in the EU took part in education and training, compared with 12.4% of men, a difference of 2.5 percentage points.
Women’s participation also increased faster between 2015 and 2025, rising by four percentage points compared with a 3.2-point increase among men.
Participation also varied according to place of residence. Adults living in cities recorded the highest rate at 16.8%, compared with 12.3% among those living in towns and suburbs and 10.3% among people in rural areas.
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