Only 2% of Greek middle school graduates achieve top scores in basic skills assessments, raising concerns about the country’s future workforce, according to the European Commission’s 2024 Education and Training Monitor.
The report, published by Kathimerini, highlights that a significant percentage of Greek pupils fail to reach minimum proficiency levels in mathematics, reading and science.
In the 2022 OECD PISA assessment, 47.2% of 15-year-olds in Greece scored low in math, 37.6% in reading, and 37.3% in science – among the highest rates in the EU.
By comparison, the EU averages for low performance are 29.5% in math, 26.2% in reading, and 24.2% in science.
At the top performance level, Greek pupils also ranked among the lowest in the EU.
Only 2% excelled in math (compared to an EU average of 7.9%), 2% in reading (EU 6.5%), and 1.5% in science (EU 6.9%).
The declining trend in basic skills over the past decade signals deep-rooted challenges in Greece’s education system. The gap is particularly pronounced among disadvantaged pupils, with 64% failing to meet minimum math proficiency – up from 52.8% in 2018.
While recent reforms, such as early childhood education expansion and curriculum updates, aim to improve learning outcomes, the report warns that education funding shortages, socioeconomic disparities and rigid teaching methods continue to hinder progress.
The report noted that in the context of a declining pupil population and significant skill mismatches, these figures raise concerns about the future supply of workforce and skills in Greece.
Despite efforts in vocational training, Greece remains among the EU’s worst performers in pupil achievement. Without targeted interventions, experts warn that the country’s labor market and long-term economic growth could suffer.