Gabriela Firea· S&D

Overestimated

One in ten European youth aged 18 to 24 have abandoned education early.

Omissions

• The claim does not specify the reference year; the most recent available data is from 2024, not 2026
• The actual Eurostat figure for 2024 is 9.3-9.4%, which is lower than the claimed 10%
• The claim omits the significant gender disparity: 10.9% of young men vs 7.7% of young women were early leavers in 2024
• The EU has set a target to reduce early school leaving below 9% by 2030

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat - Statistics Explained: Early leavers from education and trainingIn 2024, an average of 9.3% of young people aged 18-24 in the EU were early leavers from education and training. 10.9% of young men and 7.7% of young women.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission - Education and Training Monitor 2025The share of early leavers from education and training in the EU; target is less than 9% by 2030
• PrimaryEurostat - PDF: Early leavers from education and training Statistics ExplainedIn 2024, 10.9% of young men and 7.7% of young women in the EU were early leavers from education and training