Participation in lifelong learning among adults in Ireland is lower than the EU average, according to new data published by the Central Statistics Office.
Approximately 26 per cent of adults reported receiving lifelong learning, which includes formal education through colleges, schools and universities and organised learning activities outside the regular education system, compared to the EU average of 36 per cent.
Participation in formal education among adults in Ireland lies at 6 per cent which is equal to the EU average according to the statistics. This is in comparison to the UK where the participation rate is 15 per cent.
France and Greece reported the lowest adult participation rates in formal education, with both at 2 per cent.
Participation in non-formal education among adults in Ireland totalled 23 per cent, which is less than the European average of 33 per cent. Ireland ranked joint 20th among the 26 countries.
Sweden reported the highest participation rate in non-formal education at 69 per cent while Hungary reported the lowest at 7 per cent.
The figures were obtained as part of the Quarterly National Household Survey in the year until the third quarter of 2008.