Government praises OECD report, highlighting our highly qualified workforce

Ireland performed well on this year's OECD Education at a Glance report, showing strong education outcomes and a highly qualified workforce.

Just 2.1% of qualified primary and secondary teachers left the profession in 2024/25, compared to 6.4% across the OECD. Ireland sits at the low end of teacher attrition internationally.

The NEET (Not in Education or Employment or Training) rate among those aged 18-24 year olds has decreased from 18% in 2015 to 9% in 2025, this compares with 13% across other comparable OECD.

It also found that Ireland was one of the most highly qualified teaching workforces in the OECD. With just 0.3% of primary and secondary teachers not fully qualified, this compares to 9.1% across the OECD.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton said: “I am very pleased to welcome today’s publication of this significant report by the OECD, which provides an important international assessment of education systems and confirms the considerable progress made in Irish education in recent years.

“The findings reflect the commitment of school communities across the country and the significant investment made by Government to support children and young people, strengthen our teaching workforce and enhance educational opportunities for all learners.

“Particularly encouraging is the finding that Ireland has one of the strongest teacher retention rates in the OECD. Only 2.1 per cent of fully qualified primary and post-primary teachers left the profession in 2024/25, compared with 6.4 per cent across the OECD. The report also shows that Ireland has one of the most highly qualified teaching workforces internationally, with almost every teacher in our schools fully qualified.

"The report highlights how teaching capacity at primary level has expanded significantly over the past decade, with teacher numbers increasing by 27 per cent between 2015 and 2024 despite a slight decline in pupil numbers. This has supported our ongoing work to reduce class sizes, enhance supports for students and improve educational outcomes.

"I am also pleased to see recognition of the substantial progress made in reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training. Ireland's NEET rate among 18 to 24-year-olds has fallen from 18 per cent in 2015 to nine per cent in 2025, significantly below the OECD average. This demonstrates the value of sustained investment in education, skills and pathways for young people.

"While these results are very positive, we remain focused on further strengthening our education system. Through the commitments set out in the Programme for Government, we will continue to invest in our schools, expand special education provision, support teachers and school leaders and ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive, fulfil their potential and benefit from a high-quality education.”