EU education spending stabilises, but continuous support for teachers remains essential

Key findings

• Education spending in the EU is stabilising.
• Education's share of public expenditure remains below 2019 levels.
• More than three-quarters of teachers would choose the profession again.
• Salaries and other supportive working conditions, including those that promote well-being, all influence people’s decision to choose or continue teaching
• Strengthening teacher recruitment and retention requires a comprehensive approach.

Education investment stabilises

The new report provides an overview of recent developments in public expenditure on education across the EU and examines the factors linked to the attractiveness of the teaching profession.

In 2024, EU countries spent on average:

• 4.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) on education,
• 9.7% of total public expenditure

While investment levels have stabilised, education's share of total public spending remains 0.3% below its 2019 level.

Significant differences also persist across EU countries.

Teachers remain committed, but challenges persist

Teachers account for the largest share of public expenditure on education, underlining their central role in delivering quality and resilient education systems.

In 2024, the following shares of public expenditure were allocated to staff costs

• 66% in pre-primary and primary education
• 72% in secondary education

Most of this spending supported teachers and school leaders.

76.5% of EU teachers would still choose the profession again, although this proportion has slightly declined since 2018.

The findings also show that:

• female teachers are more likely than male teachers to say they would choose the profession again
• teachers with more than 20 years of experience are less likely to do so than those at the start of their careers

What makes teaching a more attractive career?

The report shows that both financial and non-financial factors influence teachers’ decision to remain in the profession.

Teachers are more likely to they would choose the profession again, when they:

• are satisfied with their salary
• work in supportive environments
• feel that society values their profession
• have opportunities for professional collaboration

By contract, workplace stress significantly reduces teachers’ willingness to  choose the profession again.

What can education systems do?

The findings suggest that attracting and retaining teachers requires more than salaries alone.

Combining financial investment with supportive working conditions, professional collaboration and measures that promote well-being can help strengthen the teaching profession and support sustainable investment in Europe's human capital.