Commission and OECD to present Survey of Adult Skills results

On 8 October, the Commission will release jointly with the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) the results of the Survey of Adult Skills.

The survey will, for the first time, provide comparable data on literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills for the adult population in 24 countries. The results highlight striking differences in skills levels between countries.

The findings confirm that a high proportion of the European workforce has a low level of skills, which is likely to present major challenges for European countries as the labour market demand for skills increases in the future. Furthermore the results suggest that many European adults cannot use ICT effectively.

The survey results are expected to become a landmark for assessing adult skills, just as the well-known PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) for 15-year-old pupils.

Background

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), administrated by the OECD, assesses literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills of the participating countries' population in the age group 16-65. The first survey (2008-2013) covered 24 countries, including 17 EU countries.

The Survey of Adult Skills is the result of a close co-operation between the OECD, the European Commission and participating countries.

For more information on the Survey of Adult Skills, click here.

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