Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal
Portugal: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal was 17.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal, 1990–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
Portugal recorded 17.1% for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in 2024. That is the highest value across all 33 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.2% on the previous year and up 52.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal peaked at 17.1% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2.3%, in 1991.
That places Portugal 11th out of 104 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2.4% | — |
| 1991 | 2.3% | -6.0% |
| 1993 | 4.3% | +91.6% |
| 1994 | 4.7% | +7.9% |
| 1995 | 3.9% | -16.0% |
| 1996 | 4.2% | +6.1% |
| 1997 | 4.7% | +12.5% |
| 1998 | 3.6% | -22.9% |
| 1999 | 3.9% | +7.0% |
| 2000 | 4.0% | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | -8.4% |
| 2002 | 3.0% | -19.4% |
| 2003 | 4.1% | +36.8% |
| 2004 | 5.2% | +27.9% |
| 2005 | 4.8% | -8.7% |
| 2006 | 4.9% | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 5.2% | +6.0% |
| 2008 | 6.0% | +15.8% |
| 2009 | 7.4% | +23.7% |
| 2010 | 6.9% | -7.1% |
| 2012 | 11.8% | +71.4% |
| 2013 | 11.0% | -6.3% |
| 2014 | 11.2% | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 11.6% | +4.1% |
| 2016 | 11.3% | -2.7% |
| 2017 | 11.4% | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 11.6% | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 12.2% | +5.6% |
| 2020 | 11.3% | -7.7% |
| 2021 | 14.0% | +24.2% |
| 2022 | 16.9% | +20.7% |
| 2023 | 16.2% | -4.2% |
| 2024 | 17.1% | +5.2% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 17.1% is above the median for high income countries, which is 8.6%, 2.0× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 17.1% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6.2%, 2.7× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.8% | 2.3% | 4.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 4.8% | 3.0% | 7.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.0% | 6.9% | 12.2% | 9 |
| 2020s | 15.1% | 11.3% | 17.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More education data for Portugal
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 82,664 (2018)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 11,380 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 136,282 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 128,743 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 741,752 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 598,661 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.89 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0566 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal?
- Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal was 17.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 17.1% in 2024.
- What is the lowest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.3% in 1991.
- How does Portugal rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- Portugal ranks 11th out of 104 countries with data for 2024.
- Is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 52.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 25-54 years old, male (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release