Where the countries stand today – and how long they need to catch up with the EU – in the Education area
The dashboard shows the current situation and the estimated time needed to reach the EU average if current trends continue. It highlights progress and gaps for each of the six Western Balkan economies on the path to EU-level living standards
Public spending on education
Enrolment in tertiary education
CountryValue% of tertiary-age population% of EUYears to EU
Albania65 % of tertiary-age population81% of EU19
Bosnia & Herzegovina45 % of tertiary-age population56% of EUDiverging
Kosovo20 % of tertiary-age population25% of EUDiverging
Montenegro55 % of tertiary-age population69% of EUDiverging
North Macedonia53 % of tertiary-age population67% of EU24
Serbia73 % of tertiary-age population92% of EUDiverging
Tertiary education rate (25-74)
CountryValue% of population% of EUYears to EU
Albania20 % of population63% of EU47
Bosnia & Herzegovina16 % of population48% of EU27
Kosovo24 % of population73% of EUDiverging
Montenegro25 % of population75% of EUDiverging
North Macedonia22 % of population69% of EU100+
Serbia26 % of population77% of EUDiverging
Labour force with advanced education
CountryValue% of labor force% of EUYears to EU
Albania82 % of labor force104% of EUConverged
Bosnia & Herzegovina81 % of labor force103% of EUConverged
Kosovo69 % of labor force87% of EUDiverging
Montenegro86 % of labor force109% of EUConverged
North Macedonia69 % of labor force87% of EUDiverging
Serbia75 % of labor force95% of EU8
NEET rate
CountryValue% of labor force% of EUYears to EU
Albania23 % of labor force40% of EU100+
Bosnia & Herzegovina15 % of labor force62% of EU13
Kosovo31 % of labor force29% of EUDiverging
Montenegro14 % of labor force64% of EU29
North Macedonia18 % of labor force50% of EUDiverging
Serbia13 % of labor force71% of EU28
