Ireland’s education system shines in OECD report
Ireland’s education system has been praised in the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2026 report, ranking among the best globally. The study highlights strong teacher retention, high qualifications, and reduced youth disengagement.
Source:
Data.gov.ie
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⏱️ 1 min read
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has hailed the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2026 report as a resounding endorsement of Ireland’s education system. The findings, released today, underscore the country’s remarkable progress across key indicators, from participation rates to workforce qualifications.
The report, a cornerstone of global education analysis, reveals that Ireland stands out for its exceptionally low teacher attrition and an overwhelmingly qualified teaching workforce. Only 2.1 per cent of fully qualified primary and post-primary teachers left the profession in 2024/25, a stark contrast to the OECD average of 6.4 per cent. Nearly every teacher in Irish schools is fully qualified, placing Ireland among the top performers internationally.
Further success is evident in the reduction of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The NEET rate for 18 to 24-year-olds has plummeted from 18 per cent in 2015 to just nine per cent in 2025, well below the OECD average. This milestone reflects sustained investment in education, skills development, and pathways for young people, as outlined in the Programme for Government. While celebrating these achievements, Minister Naughton reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring every child and young person benefits from a high-quality education.
The report, a cornerstone of global education analysis, reveals that Ireland stands out for its exceptionally low teacher attrition and an overwhelmingly qualified teaching workforce. Only 2.1 per cent of fully qualified primary and post-primary teachers left the profession in 2024/25, a stark contrast to the OECD average of 6.4 per cent. Nearly every teacher in Irish schools is fully qualified, placing Ireland among the top performers internationally.
Further success is evident in the reduction of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The NEET rate for 18 to 24-year-olds has plummeted from 18 per cent in 2015 to just nine per cent in 2025, well below the OECD average. This milestone reflects sustained investment in education, skills development, and pathways for young people, as outlined in the Programme for Government. While celebrating these achievements, Minister Naughton reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring every child and young person benefits from a high-quality education.
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