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 20.0% 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
In 2024, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal stood at 20.0%. That is the highest value across all 33 years on record.
That represents a change of up 17.6% on the previous year and up 71.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Portugal peaked at 20.0% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2.2%, in 1990.
Portugal ranks 12th of 103 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 | 2.2% | — |
| 1991 | 2.5% | +13.4% |
| 1993 | 3.9% | +59.5% |
| 1994 | 4.4% | +11.3% |
| 1995 | 4.5% | +3.1% |
| 1996 | 4.5% | +0.1% |
| 1997 | 4.4% | -3.0% |
| 1998 | 3.8% | -11.7% |
| 1999 | 4.4% | +14.4% |
| 2000 | 4.2% | -4.4% |
| 2001 | 4.5% | +7.0% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | -7.5% |
| 2003 | 4.9% | +18.7% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | +25.5% |
| 2005 | 5.2% | -16.7% |
| 2006 | 5.3% | +2.7% |
| 2007 | 5.4% | +2.6% |
| 2008 | 6.9% | +26.0% |
| 2009 | 8.3% | +21.7% |
| 2010 | 6.9% | -17.1% |
| 2012 | 12.8% | +84.8% |
| 2013 | 11.9% | -7.1% |
| 2014 | 11.6% | -2.1% |
| 2015 | 11.5% | -1.4% |
| 2016 | 11.4% | -1.1% |
| 2017 | 11.9% | +5.0% |
| 2018 | 12.6% | +5.9% |
| 2019 | 12.5% | -1.4% |
| 2020 | 12.1% | -3.1% |
| 2021 | 15.7% | +30.4% |
| 2022 | 18.2% | +15.7% |
| 2023 | 17.0% | -6.8% |
| 2024 | 20.0% | +17.6% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 20.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.5%, 2.1× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 20.0% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 8.4%, 2.4× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.8% | 2.2% | 4.5% | 9 |
| 2000s | 5.5% | 4.2% | 8.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.5% | 6.9% | 12.8% | 9 |
| 2020s | 16.6% | 12.1% | 20.0% | 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 20.0% 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 20.0% 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 2.2% in 1990.
- How does Portugal rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- Portugal ranks 12th out of 103 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 71.4%. 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, female (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release