Education in Europe

This report shows a general trend towards longer compulsory schooling to guarantee the acquisition of core competences has been observed in almost all EU education systems since 1980. In ten countries, the start of compulsory education has been brought forward by one year (or even two in the case of Latvia). At the other end of the formal education experience, 13 countries extended the duration of full-time compulsory education by one or two years, and by three years in Portugal. In 2009, across Europe, the student/teacher ratio in primary education was 14:1, and 12:1 in secondary education.

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (2012). Key data on education in Europe. Brussels, Belgium: Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/key_data_series/134EN.pdf