Only 40% of the EU population participates in adult education, against a 2030 target of 60%.

Omissions

• The exact 40% figure does not appear in any of the sources found; Eurostat publishes 47% (2022) for the 'last 12 months' indicator used to monitor the 60% target and 13.7% (2025) for the 'last 4 weeks' indicator, so the claimed level matches neither indicator precisely.
• The 60% target applies to adults aged 25-64 participating in learning during the last 12 months, not to '60% of the population' in general, and it is an annual participation measure (at least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year).
• The claim implicitly compares a figure on one measurement basis (about 40%) with a target defined on another (12-month participation), which understates the level on the target's own indicator (47% in 2022) and therefore exaggerates the size of the remaining gap.
• The 2025 Eurostat figure (published 2026-09-14, before the session date) shows a markedly different level under the 4-week indicator; the choice of indicator materially changes the message.
• The interim milestone of 47% for 2025 was not met either, which supports the speaker's broader point about slow progress.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan"At least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year." (2030 headline target)
• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Education and Training Monitor 2025, Adult learning and skills"At least 60% of adults aged 25-64 should have participated in learning during the last 12 months by 2030." 2021 European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
• PrimaryEurostat — Statistics Explained: Adult learning - participants"In the EU, 47 % of working-age adults (25-64) participated in education and training in 2022, up by 3 percentage points from 2016."
• PrimaryEurostat news — SDG 4: Adult learning on the rise in the EU"13.7% of the people in the EU aged 25 to 64 state having received formal or non-formal education and training in the last 4 weeks in 2025"
• SecondaryCEDEFOP — Adult education and training: Statistics overview"Although this reflects some progress over recent years, it is still well below the EU participation rate targets of 47% in 2025 and 60% in 2030."