Cyprus Ranks 15th in the EU for Adult Education Levels

Cyprus has ranked 15th among EU countries in terms of adult participation in both formal and non-formal education. According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus, which released data from the Adult Education Survey, 46.9% of people aged 18 to 69 in Cyprus are engaged in some form of learning or training.

When broken down by gender, 53.9% of men and 40.3% of women in Cyprus take part in educational activities. The EU average stands at 47.5%, with 47% of men and 48% of women participating.

Formal education refers to structured programs within the official education system, such as primary, secondary, or university-level studies. Non-formal education, on the other hand, includes organized learning activities outside the traditional system — like workshops, seminars, courses, and training sessions.

In Cyprus, 12% of adults aged 18–69 are enrolled in formal education (11.8% of men and 12.2% of women), closely mirroring EU averages (12.2% overall, 11.5% for men, and 13% for women).

Unsurprisingly, the highest participation in formal education comes from the 18–24 age group, with 61.6% enrolled in studies. This is slightly below the EU average of 64.3%, and includes individuals who have completed secondary or vocational education.

When it comes to non-formal education, 39.2% of Cypriot adults take part in such activities (46.1% of men and 32.8% of women). These figures are just below the EU average of 41.8%, with 41.6% of men and 42% of women participating across the bloc.

The highest participation in non-formal education is seen among working adults aged 25 to 54 who hold a university degree — a pattern that’s also reflected in other EU countries.