Main trends in youth participation in education and training

In the 2023-2024 school year, Italy’s public schools enrolled 7.194.400 students. Among them, 311.201 were students with disabilities, a number that has shown a steady increase in recent years (Focus 2023-24 Ministry of Education). The number of foreign students reached 869.336.

Regarding the regional distribution of students across different types of courses, Lombardia has the highest number of students enrolled in technical institutes (141.806), Emilia Romagna led in professional enrolments (72.318) and Campania had the largest number of students attending lyceums (164.020).

Recent data from ISTAT (2023) provide important insights into Italy’s educational and training landscape. Key findings include:

1. Early School Leaving: the percentage of early school leavers is declining. In 2023, 10.5% of young people aged 18-24 left education early, approaching the European target of 9%. This improvement is particularly noticeable in  the North-West and Central Regions and is more significant among girls. However, the dropout rate remains higher for males (13.1%) compared to females (7.6%), with Sardinia showing especially high rates among males (23.4%)​.

2. NEETs: the share of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training)  declined. In 2023, 16.1% of young people aged 15-29 were NEETs, down from 19.% in 2022.

3. Youth Educational Attainment: The level of educational attainment among  young people aged 25-29 improved. In 2023, over 35% had completed tertiary education, reflecting efforts to improve access to higher education and vocational training​.

4. Italy faces significant regional inequalities in educational outcomes, with Northern Regions generally achieving better results than those in the South. These inequalities contribute to unequal access to education and training.

Organisation of the education and training system

The education and training system is structured across several levels, with the availability and consistency of educational provision varying by stage.

• Pre-primary education consists of a non-compulsory zero-to-six years system, lasting 6 years, divided into early childhood education services¸ managed by local authorities, directly or through agreements with the private or public bodies; pre-schools, which may be managed by the State or local authorities, directly or through the stipulation of agreements, or by other public bodies and entities.

• First cycle of education, which is compulsory and lasts a total of 8 years, includes: Primary school, lasting five years, for pupils aged 6 to 11 and Secondary school, lasting three years, for pupils aged 11 to 14.

• The second cycle of education consists of: upper secondary school, which lasts five years and includes high schools, technical institutes, and vocational institutes for students aged 14 to 19; three- and four-year vocational education and training courses (IeFP)  managed at regional level and also open to students who have successfully completed the first cycle of education.

• Higher education offered by universities, higher education institutions (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e coreutica - AFAM) and higher technical institutes (Istituti Tecnici Statali - ITS) include: tertiary education pathways offered by universities; tertiary education pathways offered by AFAM institutions; vocational tertiary education pathways offered by ITS in cooperation with universities and employers.

• The Adult education system (Istruzione degli Adulti - IDA) refers to the set of educational activities aimed at adults seeking to obtain qualifications. It falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Merit and  the Ministry of University and Research. Adult education is funded by public resources and is free of charge (starting from the age of 16). Formal adult education is provided through Provincial Adult Education Centres (Centri Provinciali Istruzione Adulti - CPIA) and  higher education institutions.

• In addition, specific training programmes are implemented within Penitentiary Institutions and the Juvenile Justice Services, targeting both adults and minors, under a dedicated national programme.

Main concepts

Art. 33 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic states: “The Republic guarantees the freedom of the arts and sciences, which may be freely taught. The Republic lays down general rules for education and establishes state schools of all branches and grades. Entities and private persons have the right to establish schools and institutions of education, at no cost to the State. The law, when setting out the rights and obligations for the non-state schools which request parity, shall ensure that these schools enjoy full liberty and offer their pupils an education and qualifications of the same standards as those afforded to pupils in state schools. State examinations are prescribed for admission to and graduation from the various branches and grades of schools and for qualification to exercise a profession. Higher education institutions, universities and academies have the right to establish their own regulations within the limits laid down by the law”.

Art. 34 of the Italian Constitution states: “Schools are open to everyone. Primary education, given for at least eight years, is compulsory and free of tuition. Capable and deserving pupils, including those lacking financial resources, have the right to attain the highest levels of education. The Republic renders this right effective through scholarships, allowances to families and other benefits, which shall be assigned through competitive examinations”.

For additional information please refer to Eurydice 2.1