Transforming education in the Western Balkans
PISA 2022 findings from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia
Highlights
On their path towards European Union membership, the Western Balkans countries strive for further economic growth and social development. Education is at the heart of these goals: equitable, high-quality education systems both build human capital and help to create inclusive societies.
The “Transforming education in the Western Balkans PISA 2022 findings from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia” study, carried out by UNICEF and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), provides valuable insights into how education systems in Western Balkans are equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life and contribute to their societies. The report examines countries’ performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which evaluates learning outcomes and identifies areas of progress, as well as remaining challenges.
The 2022 results show significant decreases in performance for almost all Western Balkan countries. These reverse the gains seen in previous PISA cycles. On average, the most disadvantaged students are not only falling behind in their learning but are experiencing greater education resource shortages. This finding underscores the need to improve student performance across the board and address persistent inequities in performance. Areas requiring focused attention are highlighted to provide insight to policymakers and stakeholders.
