14 February 2026
The different profiles of adult learners in Europe
The OECD has published a paper exploring adult participation in learning and suggesting different adult learner profiles.
The paper builds on previous research and surveys showing the different reasons why adults may undertake learning (including professional and personal reasons) and why they may not.
The researchers have created a method for grouping adult learners into different profiles to help understand them. These groups are influenced by a range of motivations and barriers and highlight the diversity of adult learners.
It presents learner profiles from Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland and Portugal, with policy implications of the findings and comments on how to implement learner profiles elsewhere.
Read more about the profiles of adult learners in Europe.
The paper builds on previous research and surveys showing the different reasons why adults may undertake learning (including professional and personal reasons) and why they may not.
The researchers have created a method for grouping adult learners into different profiles to help understand them. These groups are influenced by a range of motivations and barriers and highlight the diversity of adult learners.
It presents learner profiles from Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland and Portugal, with policy implications of the findings and comments on how to implement learner profiles elsewhere.
Read more about the profiles of adult learners in Europe.
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