School Dropout Rates: Alarming Findings from the OECD 2024 Report

Alarming OECD Report 2024 on Italy’s Education System

The latest OECD report for 2024 has raised serious concerns regarding school dropout rates in Italy.
On September 10, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development presented its annual report, “Education at a Glance,” in Paris, highlighting numerous issues within Italy’s educational framework.

These concerns extend beyond dropout rates, reflecting Italy’s public spending on education, which falls below the OECD average.
A serious shortage of teachers also contributes to the problem, exacerbated by high levels of job insecurity and an aging teaching workforce that indicates a slow generational turnover.

Such issues have led to widespread protests from educators, largely in response to the precarious conditions under the policies of Education Minister Valditara over the past year, prompting new mobilizations.

Dropout Rates and Employment Consequences

According to the OECD report, approximately 20% of young Italians aged 25-34 have not completed upper secondary education, compared to the OECD average of 14%.
This educational shortfall has dire implications for employment; only 57% of those without a diploma find work, contrasted with 69% employment among graduates.

This lack of educational attainment also affects income levels, with 27% of individuals aged 25-64 lacking a diploma earning half or less than the average salary.
Educational unions, particularly Flc Cgil, emphasize the urgent need to extend compulsory schooling to 18 years.

Impact of Family Background on Educational Attainment

The OECD findings further show that students from families where parents lack diplomas or degrees are less likely to graduate themselves.
Specifically, 37% of children from non-graduated parents do not achieve their diploma, while 69% of those with at least one graduate parent complete higher education.

Investment and Teacher Statistics

Alarmingly, Italy allocates just 4% of its GDP to education—below the OECD average of 4.9%.
The student-to-teacher ratio also raises concern, standing at 11 to 1 in primary schools and 10 to 1 in secondary education, much criticized by Flc Cgil as indicative of ongoing cuts in education.

Furthermore, the age demographics of teachers reflect a concerning trend; 53% are over 50, significantly higher than the OECD average of 37%.

Positive Aspects Amidst Challenges

Despite the challenges, there are also positive findings within the OECD report.
The proportion of Italian students demonstrating adequate math skills aligns with the OECD average for both genders.
Additionally, the number of women obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree is on the rise.

Gender Pay Gap Among Graduates

However, a stark contrast arises in salary comparisons; young female graduates in Italy earn, on average, only 58% of what their male counterparts make, creating the largest gender pay gap among OECD countries.
Similarly, female diploma holders earn 85% of their male peers’ salaries.

The report underscores both the successes and the challenges facing Italy’s educational landscape, highlighting the urgent need for reform and investment in the sector for future improvement.

More information can be found in the OECD report [here](https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2024.htm).