Lifelong learning in Ireland

Lifelong learning comprises formal, non-formal and informal learning activities that individuals
may undertake throughout their lives.

In terms of targets for lifelong learning participation (both national and EU), only formal and non-formal learning activities amongst 25-64-year-old adults are considered.

While Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 and the EU’s goals for Education and Training for 2020 each set a target for adult participation in learning activities in the preceding four weeks, the more recent EU Pillar of Social Rights 2030 target for adult participation in learning focuses on learning activities in the preceding 12 months.

Partly as a result of this difference in timeframes (4 weeks versus 12 months), the current EU target, at 60%, is considerably higher than the earlier EU 2020 and National Skills Strategy targets (15% for 2020 and 2025 respectively).

However, it should be borne in mind that these lifelong learning measures are not comparable.

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