Young Europeans and university – level 3

Young Europeans and university

16-09-2025 15:00

A new OECD report shows where young Europeans have the highest university education.

Ireland leads with two-thirds of adults aged 25 to 34 holding a degree in 2024. Luxembourg follows with 65% and Lithuania with 58%. At the bottom are Czechia with 33% and Hungary and Italy with 32%.

The report highlights major contrasts across the EU in terms of higher education access.

Family background plays a key role. In every country, young people whose parents studied at university are much more likely to obtain a degree themselves. Denmark shows the smallest gap: 70% of young adults with graduate parents have a degree, compared with 49% of those whose parents did not. Poland has the largest gap, with 79% versus only 11%.

The OECD also stresses the benefits of higher education. A degree is linked to better chances of employment, higher salaries, and improved health. Education is not only about knowledge but also about the quality of life.

Difficult words: contrast (a clear difference), obtain (to get something).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.

In which country do 79% of young adults with university-educated parents obtain a degree compared with only 11% of those whose parents did not attend university?

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