The adult education survey (AES) covers adults’ participation in education and training (formal, non-formal and informal learning) and is one of the main data sources for EU lifelong learning statistics. The AES covers the resident population aged 25-64 until 2016 and 18-69 from 2022 onwards. The reference period for the participation in education and training is the twelve months prior to the interview.

The following information is available from the AES:

Four waves of the survey have been implemented so far (2007 AES, 2011 AES, 2016 AES and 2022 AES). The first AES – referred to as 2007 AES – was a pilot exercise and carried out on a voluntary basis in 29 countries in the EU, EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and candidate countries between 2005 and 2008. As from 2011, the AES is underpinned by a European legal act and thus carried out in all Member States on a mandatory basis. The 2011 AES was carried out in 2011/2012, the 2016 AES in 2016/2017 and the 2022 AES in 2022/2023.

Comparable data for the four waves can be found in the following folders: