Nearly 17 million people have been beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ programme.
72% confidence
EducationEuropean Union
Omissions
The Commission's own pages are not fully consistent: its 'history, funding and future' page says 'over 16 million people have taken part' since 1987, the 'Marking 37 years of Erasmus+' page (2024) says 'over 15 million participants', while the current programme data overview page states '18 million people participating since 1987'.
The 17 million figure is not published as such by any source; it results from adding 7.1 million (1987–2013) + 8.5 million (2014–2023) + almost 1.5 million (2024 mobility, reported by the Commission on 14 Nov 2025).
Terminology: in Erasmus+ legal jargon 'beneficiaries' are organisations that sign grant agreements; the individuals the MEP refers to are 'participants'. The claim uses 'beneficiaries' in the loose, colloquial sense of people who benefited from the programme.
The most recent full-year data available before the 21 October 2026 session covers 2024; 2025 participation data would only be published around November 2026, after the session date.
PrimaryEuropean Commission — 'Marking 37 years of Erasmus+: Key numbers and achievements''37 years later, Erasmus+ has provided opportunities to over 15 million participants.' / 'From 1987 to 2013, around 7.1 million people took part in the programme. Between 2014 to 2023 alone, another 8.5 million benefitted from an Erasmus experience.'