European Commission stresses need for higher enrolment in STEM subjects and to improve basic skills

The European Commission has highlighted the need to increase enrolment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects in light of the shortage of professionals, the improvement of basic skills among young people, and persistent challenges such as school dropout and socio-economic inequalities in education.

In its 2025 Education and Training Monitor, published on 13/11/2025, the Commission noted that building a strong STEM workforce requires boosting enrolment and tackling barriers from the earliest years, especially for girls and women.

The monitor notes that many EU countries have launched initiatives explicitly aimed at women, such as ‘STEAM Alliance for female talent’ and ‘ChicaSTEM’ in Spain, Austria’s Digital Skills Offensive and the Dutch Action Plan for Green and Digital Jobs.

As basic skills in Europe decline, several EU countries have introduced measures to improve students’ basic skills, according to the monitor. Bulgaria and Czechia have updated their school curricula, Finland and Germany have increased the number of hours of basic skills teaching, and…