With 4.4% of GDP allocated to Education, we are below the European Union average

The Bucharest government allocated approximately 4.4% of GDP to Education in 2024, compared to the average of 4.8% recorded at the European Union level, according to the "Investing in Education 2026” report, published yesterday by the European Commission. Education spending represented approximately 9.1% of total public spending in Romania, compared to the European average of 9.7%. However, the report highlights that our country is, along with Slovakia, among the states with the highest increase in public investment in education relative to GDP in the period 2014-2024, respectively one percentage point. At the same time, we benefited from approximately 2.91 billion euros through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism for Education and Skills, an amount representing 13.6% of the funds allocated to the country through this instrument.

At EU level, investment in education has stabilized, but continues to represent a smaller share of public spending than before the pandemic: 9.7% in 2024, compared to 10% in 2019. Differences between countries remain considerable, with education spending ranging from 7.2% of GDP in Sweden to 2.7% in Ireland, according to a press release issued yesterday from Brussels by the Community Executive.

The European Commission draws attention to the fact that investment in teachers is essential to combat the shortage of staff in schools. Over three quarters of European teachers, or 76.5%, say they would choose this profession again. Salary satisfaction increases the likelihood of a teacher making the same choice by around seven percentage points, while professional stress reduces it by around five points.

"Teachers are the backbone of Europe's education systems, and investing in education means investing in teachers. This report clearly shows that attracting and retaining teachers is not just about salaries. It is also about working conditions, well-being, professional recognition and career development opportunities. At a time when many education systems are facing a shortage of teachers, we need to make teaching a profession that people want to join, stay in and feel valued in. Our upcoming EU Agenda for Teachers and Trainers, within the Skills Union, will support Member States in this regard," said Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills.

That is why the Commission is preparing a European Agenda for Teachers and Trainers, which will support Member States in making the teaching profession more attractive.