At the SIAE, we consistently monitor data collected through the Labour Force Survey. Participation in LL among residents aged 25 to 64 is a primary indicator in the Adult Education Master Plan (ReNPIO) 2022–2030, as well as an international benchmark for assessing the development of ALE systems. Therefore, this indicator is tracked across all EU countries and is also of broader interest.
Several international studies measure adult participation in LL. Dr Borut Mikulec (2024) highlights four prominent surveys in the European context. In addition to the Labour Force Survey, these include the Continuing Vocational Training Survey and PIAAC on a global scale. UNESCO’s research, which publishes findings on population participation in LL through the GRALE report, is also noteworthy.The Labour Force Survey is a quarterly investigation into labour market trends and changes. In 2022, it was enhanced with a new methodological framework also to measure participation in the previous 12 months. It is conducted across all EU countries, four candidate nations and five EFTA states. The survey in Slovenia covers residents aged 15 to 89, although the analysed sample focuses on the 25–64 age group. In 2023, the sample included approximately 8,000 units.
Some Results
Below, we present some key findings from the Labour Force Survey, both in international and temporal contexts. When displaying international data, a selection of 13 countries from the Eurostat database has been made. The average for the EU 27 is also provided.
The distribution of responses indicates that in 2023, nearly one-fifth of adults in Slovenia were engaged in educational activities. This result exceeds the EU average. Encouragingly, Slovenia ranked higher than Austria, France, the Czech Republic and some other member states. However, it must be highlighted that just over 80% of the population was not engaged in educational activities during the observation period. Moreover, the country does not achieve the levels seen in Scandinavian countries, which are characterised by a long tradition of lifelong learning and strong government support for educational activities.
With a participation rate of 19.9% achieved by Slovenia in 2023, the involvement was 2.4 percentage points lower than the previous year. However, it is noteworthy that achievements in the last three years have been above average compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the publication Moments of Change: Adult Education During the Epidemic of COVID-19 (2023), we discussed, among other things, the reasons for significant fluctuations and changes in this area. These outcomes have undoubtedly been influenced by national education policy and practices typical of recent years. Such fluctuations are not unique to Slovenia but are also evident in other European and non-European countries, as elaborated in UNESCO’s GRALE-5 report.
The initial results provided here are merely the first step towards a deeper examination of the phenomenon of participation/involvement, which, despite some expected outcomes, surprises with various deviations. Studying annual results forms a bridge between findings and policy. It serves as a basis for understanding, interpreting and contextualising this phenomenon.
Jasmina Mirčeva, MSc (jasmina.mirceva@acs.si), SIAE
