Portugal’s tertiary attainment rate hit 43% in 2024, overtaking the OECD average for the first time. Over the past decade, the country recorded the largest drop in early school leaving across all 27 EU member states. This article compiles the latest verified data on education in Portugal from OECD, Eurostat, and EU reports published in 2024 and 2025.
Key Education in Portugal Statistics
- 43% of Portuguese adults aged 25 to 64 hold a tertiary degree, above the OECD average of 41% (2024).
- Portugal’s early school leaving rate fell by 10.7 percentage points between 2014 and 2024, the largest drop in the EU.
- 53.8% of teachers in Portugal are over 50, making it the third-oldest teaching workforce among 39 OECD countries.
- Nearly 50,000 international students enrolled in Portuguese universities in 2022, up from a 4% share in 2013 to 12%.
- Per-student spending stands at $12,956 (USD PPP), about 14% below the OECD average.
How Does Portugal’s Education Attainment Compare to the OECD?
Portugal raised its tertiary attainment rate from 38% to 43% between 2019 and 2024. A university degree in Portugal carries a 74% earnings premium over upper secondary qualifications, more than double the OECD average of 34%. The graduate employment rate is 91%, four points above the OECD figure.
The gap is at the lower end. About 38% of Portuguese adults still lack an upper secondary qualification, compared to 19% across the OECD. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, that share dropped from 24% in 2019 to 16% in 2024, though it still exceeds the OECD’s 13%.
| Indicator | Portugal | OECD Average |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary attainment (25–64) | 43% | 41% |
| Adults lacking upper secondary | 38% | 19% |
| Young adults (25–34) without upper secondary | 16% | 13% |
| Master’s degree holders (25–34) | 17% | 16% |
| Tertiary graduate employment rate | 91% | 87% |
| Earnings premium (tertiary vs upper secondary) | 74% | 34% |
Source: OECD Education at a Glance 2025
How Fast Did Portugal Reduce Early School Leaving?
Portugal recorded the single largest drop in early school leaving among all EU member states: 10.7 percentage points between 2014 and 2024. The country cleared the EU’s 2030 target of below 9% years ahead of schedule. Among young men, the rate fell 12.7 points, the steepest male-specific reduction in the EU. Among young women, it fell 8.8 points.
| Metric | Portugal | EU Context |
|---|---|---|
| Reduction in early leaving (2014–2024) | -10.7 pp | EU avg: -1.8 pp |
| Reduction among young men | -12.7 pp | Largest in EU |
| Reduction among young women | -8.8 pp | Largest in EU |
| EU 2030 target | Below 9% | |
Source: Eurostat, Early Leavers from Education and Training, May 2025
What Are Portugal’s PISA Scores?
In the 2022 PISA assessment, Portuguese 15-year-olds scored 472 in mathematics, 477 in reading, and 484 in science. All three are roughly in line with OECD averages. Scores did fall from 2018 levels, with mathematics down 20 points and reading down 15, losses equivalent to about one year of learning. Portugal’s grade repetition rate of 17% is nearly double the OECD average of 9%.
| Subject | Portugal | OECD Average | Min. Proficiency (PT) | Min. Proficiency (OECD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 472 | 472 | 70% | 69% |
| Reading | 477 | 476 | 77% | 74% |
| Science | 484 | 485 | 78% | 76% |
Source: OECD PISA 2022 Results — Portugal Country Note
How Much Does Portugal Spend Per Student?
Portugal spends $12,956 per student (USD PPP), about 14% below the OECD average of $15,023. Relative to national wealth, the picture differs: Portugal allocates 29% of GDP per capita to education, compared to 25% across the OECD. The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility has directed an additional €674 million toward digital infrastructure and teacher training in Portuguese schools.
| Spending Metric | Portugal | OECD Average |
|---|---|---|
| Spending per student (USD PPP) | $12,956 | $15,023 |
| Spending as % of GDP per capita | 29% | 25% |
| Total education investment | Over €10.5 billion | — |
| Recovery & Resilience Fund (digital) | €674 million | — |
Source: OECD Education at a Glance 2025; EU Education and Training Monitor 2025
How Many International Students Study in Portugal?
In the 2023/2024 academic year, 448,235 students were enrolled across 97 higher education institutions in Portugal. International students made up 12% of total enrollment in 2022, up from 4% in 2013. Nearly 50,000 international students chose Portugal, with about 33% coming from Brazil. Africa was the most represented continent. Twelve Portuguese universities appeared in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Those interested in learning Portuguese before studying in Portugal can find free resources to help with preparation.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total enrolled students (2023/24) | 448,235 |
| Higher education institutions | 97 |
| International students (2022) | 49,916 |
| International share (2022) | 12% |
| International share (2013) | 4% |
| Portuguese universities in QS Rankings | 12 |
Source: Eurydice / DGEEC via EU Education and Training Monitor 2025; QS Insights 2024
How Old Is Portugal’s Teaching Workforce?
Over half (53.8%) of all teachers in Portugal are over 50, the third-highest share among 39 OECD countries. At the other end, just 2.7% of teachers are under 30, the lowest rate in the entire OECD. Real salaries for primary teachers fell 1.8% between 2015 and 2024 while the OECD average rose 14.6%. School principals reported a 30-point increase in staff shortage concerns between 2018 and 2022.
| Indicator | Portugal | OECD Context |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers aged 50+ | 53.8% | 3rd highest of 39 |
| Teachers under 30 | 2.7% | Lowest (39th of 39) |
| Not fully qualified | 6.5% | — |
| Real salary change, primary (2015–2024) | -1.8% | OECD avg: +14.6% |
Source: OECD Education at a Glance 2025 — Portugal
What Is Portugal’s STEM Enrollment Rate?
Portugal’s STEM enrollment in higher education reached 28.9% in 2023, above the EU average of 26.9% but short of the EU’s proposed 2030 target of 32%. The country produced 10,071 new STEM graduates in 2023, overshooting the official forecast by 166%. Around 90% of primary and secondary teachers completed digital competence assessments under the INCoDe.2030 program. Women made up 31.3% of STEM students at the tertiary level and 18.4% of ICT students.
| Indicator | Portugal | EU Average |
|---|---|---|
| Higher ed STEM enrollment | 28.9% | 26.9% |
| Women in tertiary STEM | 31.3% | 32.2% |
| Women in ICT (tertiary) | 18.4% | 20.3% |
| New STEM graduates (2023) | 10,071 | — |
| VET students in STEM | 30.5% | 36.3% |
Source: EU Education and Training Monitor 2025 — Portugal; Eurostat
FAQ
What is Portugal’s tertiary education attainment rate?
As of 2024, 43% of Portuguese adults aged 25 to 64 hold a tertiary degree. This exceeds the OECD average of 41%, according to OECD Education at a Glance 2025.
How many international students study in Portugal?
Nearly 50,000 international students enrolled in Portuguese universities in 2022, making up 12% of total enrollment. About a third come from Brazil.
What are Portugal’s PISA scores?
In the 2022 PISA assessment, Portugal scored 472 in math, 477 in reading, and 484 in science. All three scores are roughly equal to the OECD average.
How much does Portugal spend per student?
Portugal spends $12,956 per student in purchasing power parity terms, about 14% below the OECD average of $15,023. It allocates 29% of GDP per capita to education.
Why is Portugal’s teacher shortage a concern?
Over 53% of Portuguese teachers are above 50, and only 2.7% are under 30. Real teacher salaries fell 1.8% from 2015 to 2024 while the OECD average rose 14.6%.
