Skip to main content
European Commission logo

Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Equity in school education in Europe

Comparative Reports

Equity in school education in Europe

12 October 2020

This report provides an overview of education structures and policies that influence equity in school education. It connects these system-level features to student performance in international student assessment surveys (PISA, PIRLS and TIMSS). Looking at 42 European education systems, the report identifies which policies and structures are associated with higher levels of equity in student performance. The report examines the following education system features: participation in early childhood education and care, school funding, differentiation and school types, school choice, admissions policies, tracking systems, grade repetition, school autonomy, school accountability, support for disadvantaged schools, support for low-achieving students and the opportunity to learn.

Full report BG BS EL EN ES ET HR IT LT LV PL PT RO SK SLA SR TR 

Eurydice Brief DE EN FR LV PT RO SK SL SR SV TR 

Focus On article: Equity in School Education: Why is it important and how to improve it

Latest Comparative Reports

Entrepreneurship education at school in Europe - 2025

23 October 2025

Entrepreneurship is one of the eight key competences for lifelong learning defined at European level. It empowers young individuals to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world, fostering innovation and equipping them with the skills necessary to tackle economic, social, and environmental challenges. The report explores policy frameworks, curriculum integration, teacher training, and practical entrepreneurial...

Addressing underachievement in literacy, mathematics and science: Policy changes in European school education since 2020

16 October 2025

Every student in Europe should have the chance to master the basic skills that open doors to learning, new opportunities, and a confident future. Literacy, mathematics, science, digital skills and citizenship are more than school subjects – they are the foundations of lifelong learning, employability, civic participation and personal growth. However, recent international assessments reveal...

Recommended Annual Instruction Time in Full-time Compulsory Education in Europe – 2024/2025

08 July 2025

Effective learning depends on many factors, but undoubtedly, the instruction time available to students plays a key role in their learning process. Along with the quality of instruction and the time available for learning after school, the increase in the amount of instruction time allocated to a discipline can help to raise students’ interest in...

2024 - Eurydice publications

16 April 2025

In 2024, Eurydice published a number of reports on various educational topics. An overview of our 2024 publications is now available. With just one click, you can easily get access to all our reports!