January 24 was celebrated International Day of Education, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the essential role of education in building a fairer, more developed and more peaceful society. The celebration represents the ideal opportunity to take stock of the state of the art Italywhere, despite certain situations that can certainly be improved, there is a general improvement compared to previous decades.
The data collected in 2023 by Eurostat indeed demonstrates a reduction in early dropout rate of education in Italy compared to 2007. At the same time, for the same time window, we observe a increase significant in the number of individuals having reached a higher education diploma.
You too can rediscover the pleasure of staying informed!
Your support helps protect our independence so that we can continue to produce quality journalism that is open to all.
Support us
Education in Italy
In the 2023/24 school year, more than 7 million Italian students returned to school. Among the students attending high schools, more than two million, 51.4% attend a high school, 31.7% a technical institute and 16.9% a vocational institute.
According to the ISTAT report “Noi Italia 2023”, in 2022 the share of young people with a higher education diploma was 29.2%.
In this regard, as data from Eurostat, the European Statistical Institute, show, between 2007 and 2022 there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who obtained a university degree. In 2007 they represented 18.8% of the Italian population aged 25 to 34, in 2022, as confirmed by ISTAT data, up to 29.2%.
This positive trend also records data regarding thedropout. In 2007, 19.5% of people left school before completing their studies. In 2022, however, 11.5%. A drop of 8 percentage points.
These data, although they demonstrate a general improvement in the Italian situation, do not yet correspond to the data recorded in Europe. In 2021, for example, public education spending represented 4.1% of GDP. A significant investment, but lower than the average of Union countries, which generally invest 4.9% of their GDP.
“Noi Italia 2023” further reports that the the situation in northern Italy is generally more positive compared to that of the South and indicates that more than 19% of the population between 15 and 29 years old does not study, does not work or is not actively looking for a job.
What it takes to improve education in Italy
Improving the education system and its associated problems is an issue that would require structural measures, substantial investments and a long-term vision.
Necessary measures include a monitoring constant and in-depth study of the education system to address specific local critical issues and share possible solutions.
It is also necessary to invest in teacher training, both during university preparation and during the exercise of the profession. A fundamental aspect to guarantee a high educational level, but which must be accompanied by a adequate remuneration: the average gross annual salary of an Italian teacher is in fact 29,669 euros, compared to an average salary for euro zone countries which amounts to 33,021 euros.
To improve the situation, we must therefore continually invest in revision and updating of school programswith an emphasis on educational innovation and the identification of themes and skills needed to face contemporary challenges.
Finally, you need to invest in promotion student participationboth in decision-making and training processes, to guarantee gender equality in access to education and reduce early school leaving.
Read also:
Increasing education rate. More graduates in Italy.