Italy faces educational inequality and low teacher salaries

Recent data from the OECD ‘Education at a Glance 2026’ report highlights significant educational and economic disparities within Italy. A persistent North-South divide remains evident, with the Mezzogiorno region showing lower rates of tertiary education attainment compared to the North. For instance, the percentage of graduates in Sicily is 17%, compared to 29% in Lazio.

Italy also faces challenges regarding basic skills. Approximately 35% of Italian adults demonstrate low literacy competence, a figure exceeding the OECD average. Furthermore, 46% of adults struggle with complex problem-solving, and only 6% excel in mathematics.

Economic disparities are also noted in the labor market. The wage premium for university graduates in Italy is 35% higher than for those with only secondary education, which is significantly lower than the OECD average of 54%. Additionally, teacher salaries lag behind other tertiary-educated professionals; preschool teachers earn on average 36% less, while middle school teachers earn 33% less. The report also notes an aging teaching workforce, with 36% of secondary school teachers aged 55 or older in 2024.