Cyprus early school‑leaving rate 9.8% in 2025 exceeds EU target

Eurostat data released in September 2025 show that 9.8% of 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds in Cyprus left education or vocational training early, staying above the EU target of 9% for 2030 and the Union’s average of 9.1% for the same year. The figure improves from 11.3% in 2024 but remains higher than the European average.

Over the last decade the Cyprus rate rose from 5.2% in 2015 to 9.8% in 2025, the steepest increase among EU members, followed by Germany (3% rise) and Austria (2.7%). EU‑wide early‑leaving rates fell steadily from 11% in 2015 to 9.1% in 2025. The gender gap narrowed, with males at 10.6% and females at 7.5% in 2025. Seventeen member states have already met the 9% target; the lowest rates are in Croatia (2.1%), Greece (3%) and Ireland (3.6%), while the highest are in Romania (15.5%), Germany (13.1%) and Hungary (12.8%).