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Europe boasts some of the world\u2019s most highly educated societies. Even so, educational inequality remains a critical challenge within, and between, many of its countries, undermining the EU\u2019s vision of truly inclusive, high-quality learning for all. To enable meaningful change to Europe\u2019s educational systems, the EU-funded LEARN(opens in new window)<\/a> project has set out to explore how inequalities emerge and why they persist over time.<\/p>\n European education has progressed significantly over the past century through the introduction of compulsory schooling, broader access to tertiary education and early childhood programmes. However, despite these significant advances, a child\u2019s socio-economic background today still dictates their future, shaping achievement, aspirations, field choices and access to higher education. These inequalities persist even as structural barriers have decreased, revealing deeper qualitative and quantitative divides of social origin. Policy intervention is therefore essential, not only to improve educational outcomes, but also to mitigate lifelong disadvantages and the broader societal and economic consequences stemming from unequal access.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStriving for meaningful progress, lasting change<\/p>\n \u201cMeaningful progress in education depends on letting evidence shape reform. Lasting change comes from using comprehensive, comparable data to guide policy and practice across all levels of education,\u201d write Paula Sergeant and Doris Hanappi of LEARN partners Manchester Metropolitan University (United Kingdom) and University of Zurich (Switzerland), respectively, in a recent \u2018Open Access Government\u2019 article(opens in new window)<\/a>. The project is therefore collating and synthesising different data sources and earlier research findings to gain better insight into policy changes and their impact on educational inequalities across Europe.<\/p>\n The focus is on nine European countries: Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. By examining patterns of inequality within and between these countries, LEARN will be able to support educational policymaking with robust, evidence-based interventions. A key tool in the project\u2019s efforts is the EU LEARN Policy Lab(opens in new window)<\/a>. On this platform, scientific knowledge and evidence is synthesised, translated, and made accessible to policymakers and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInforming policy<\/p>\n Two policy briefs published in 2025 show that inclusive education policies and stronger evidence systems built on broad socio-economic indicators are needed to effectively tackle inequality. \u201cTransparent placement criteria, early desegregation, and targeted family support can make educational transitions fairer, while mental health, career, and financial support services strengthen wellbeing and long-term outcomes,\u201d report Sergeant and Hanappi in the same article.<\/p>\n The first brief, Mapping the Education Evidence Base(opens in new window)<\/a>, highlights opportunities to reduce educational inequality by strengthening the evidence base. It calls for research that covers all educational stages, incorporates broader social contexts beyond family background and better aligns theory with practical indicators. Closing these gaps will enable more effective, targeted policies and support the development of inclusive education systems that address inequality at its roots.<\/p>\n The LEARN (Longitudinal Educational Achievements: Reducing iNequalities) project\u2019s second policy brief, Closing the Attainment Gap(opens in new window)<\/a>, identifies three key levers for change: providing long-term, stable funding for knowledge broker institutions; investing in teachers\u2019 research literacy; and promoting a collaborative culture that values rigorous research and professional expertise. According to the brief\u2019s authors, taking these steps will help address the educational attainment gap and create more equitable education systems for all students.<\/p>\n