Education at a Glance 2024: a simplified overview
Education at a Glance is a key report that provides detailed data on the education systems of member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as several accession and partner countries. Every year, it offers insights into how global education is structured, financed, and how students perform. Although Kazakhstan is not a member of the OECD, the country actively collaborates with the organization in various fields, such as education, governance, and economic development, aligning the nation’s policies with global standards. In this article, a Kazinform News Agency correspondent explores the recent report and highlights its main findings.
In the 2024 edition, the main focus is on equity in education. This refers to the fairness of opportunities and outcomes in education, especially for groups that face challenges such as low income, gender inequalities, or lack of access to quality schooling. The 2024 report also includes a special feature called Spotlight on Equity, which summarizes the findings related to equal opportunities for all students.
Improvements in education and job opportunities
In recent years, there have been positive changes for young adults who were at risk of falling behind. For example, the percentage of 18-24 year-olds who were neither in employment, education, nor training has dropped from 16% in 2016 to 14% across the OECD countries. Additionally, the percentage of 25-34 year-olds without a high school qualification has also decreased, from 17% to 14%.
Employment opportunities for those with and without upper secondary education have improved as well. For those without an upper secondary qualification, employment rates increased from 59% to 61%, and for those with an upper secondary education, from 76% to 79%. These trends show that staying in school longer helps young adults find better job opportunities.
However, even with these improvements, the quality of learning hasn’t necessarily improved. The proportion of low-performing students has not decreased, suggesting that while more young adults are staying in school, they are not necessarily learning better skills. It’s important to focus not just on staying in school but also on ensuring that students gain the skills they need for a successful career.
Gender gaps in education and employment
Girls and young women tend to do better than boys and young men when it comes to education. They generally score higher in standardized tests, are less likely to repeat a grade, and are more likely to finish secondary and tertiary education. For example, in OECD countries, 54% of women aged 25-34 have a tertiary qualification, compared to 41% of men.
Despite these educational successes, women still face challenges in the workforce. Young women, especially those without a high school qualification, are less likely to be employed compared to their male peers. Among young adults without upper secondary education, the employment rate for women is 47%, 25 percentage points lower than men. For those with tertiary education, 84% of young women are employed compared to 90% of young men.
In terms of earnings, women also make less than men. On average, young women without a high school diploma earn 15% less than their male counterparts, and those with tertiary qualifications earn 17% less.
The impact of family background
Family background plays a huge role in educational outcomes. Children from low-income families are less likely to attend early childhood education programs, and they perform worse in standardized assessments during primary and secondary education. For example, in some countries, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are 18 percentage points less likely to be enrolled in early education.
Moreover, the educational level of parents greatly influences whether children complete their secondary and tertiary education. For example, children whose parents did not finish high school are 19 percentage points less likely to complete their upper secondary education compared to those whose parents have tertiary qualifications. These patterns show how important family background is in shaping educational success.
Early childhood education: a fair start for all
Early childhood education plays a critical role in leveling the playing field for children from different family backgrounds. This type of education helps close developmental gaps before children enter primary school. To address this, several countries have lowered the starting age of compulsory education to include pre-primary education. This ensures that more children attend school from an early age.
Governments are also increasing their spending on early childhood education. Between 2015 and 2021, public spending on this level of education increased by 9% across OECD countries. As a result, enrolment rates in early childhood education have risen, with 83% of children aged 3-5 attending pre-primary education.
However, challenges remain, especially for low-income families. Even though some countries offer free early childhood education, in many places, parents still need to pay for additional hours or other expenses, making it difficult for families with limited income.
Teacher shortages: a barrier to equity
One of the challenges that many education systems face is teacher shortages. At the start of the 2022/23 school year, many countries were struggling to hire enough qualified teachers. This issue is more serious in remote or socio-economically disadvantaged schools.
Some countries are trying to solve this problem by offering financial incentives to teachers who work in these areas, but money alone isn’t enough. Teachers also need proper support and recognition to stay motivated and effective in their roles.
