Skip to main content
European Commission logo

Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
The Teaching Profession in Europe: Practices, Perceptions, and Policies

Comparative Reports

The Teaching Profession in Europe: Practices, Perceptions, and Policies

19 February 2018

Full version CS DE EL EN ES FR HR IT LV PL RO SK SR TR

Highlights BG CS DE EL EN ES FI FR HR IS IT LT LV MT NL PL RO SR SL SV TR

E-book DE EN FR

Appendix EN

Policy implications (European Commission)

European Commission Press Release

This Eurydice report analyses the relation between the policies that regulate the teaching profession in Europe, and the attitudes, practices, and perceptions of teachers. The analysis covers aspects such as initial teacher education, continuing professional development, transnational mobility, as well as teacher demographics, working conditions, and the attractiveness of the profession.

The report focuses on almost two million lower secondary education teachers employed in the 28 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye. It is based on Eurydice and Eurostat/UOE data, as well as on a secondary analysis of TALIS 2013, combining qualitative and quantitative evidence. The reference year is 2013/14.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Demographics and Working Conditions

Chapter 2: Initial Teacher Education and Transition to the Teaching Profession

Chapter 3: Continuing Professional Development

Chapter 4: Transnational Mobility

Chapter 5: Attractiveness of the Teaching Profession

Latest Comparative Reports

Preparedness Education in Europe - 2025

26 February 2026

In response to the increasing frequency of climate-related incidents, cyber threats, and geopolitical instability in Europe, the European Union has developed a Preparedness Union Strategy, aiming to support Member States’ capacity to respond effectively, which is both a national and a shared European duty. The strategy comprises actions to bolster Europe's capacity against geopolitical tensions...

Eurydice and Youth Wiki publications - 2025

21 January 2026

In 2025, Eurydice and Youth Wiki published a number of reports on various educational topics. An overview of our 2025 publications is now available. With just one click, you can easily get access to all our reports!

National strategies to tackle absenteeism and early leaving from education and training - 2024/2025

03 December 2025

This paper examines policies and measures implemented across 37 European education systems to address absenteeism and reduce early leaving from education and training (ELET), based on the Eurydice System-level indicators on ELET 2024/2025. It outlines key strategies, including early warning systems, actions to address student absenteeism, individual education plans for at-risk learners, and teacher training...

Academic staff in Europe – 2025

19 November 2025

Academic staff are indispensable to the higher education system, playing a pivotal role in delivering quality education, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth. This report on “Academic Staff in Europe” delves into the modern dynamics of the academic profession, aiming to inform policymakers, researchers, and educational institutions in developing effective strategies for sustainable career paths...