With a rapidly aging population and a growing skills divide between generations, Portugal needs to further strengthen its adult-learning system, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. Portugal’s investments in education and skills in recent decades are paying off for young people but many adults are falling behind.

Attainment rates at upper secondary and tertiary levels have increased substantially, and the school dropout rate has steadily fallen since 2000, according to the Skills Strategy Implementation Guidance for Portugal. But more than half of adults aged 25 to 64 have not completed upper secondary education, a higher rate than any OECD country except Turkey and Mexico.

The report suggests creating a comprehensive plan for adult learning guiding actions for all partners, inside and outside government. Steps should be taken to encourage more people to take part, especially people with low skills who are currently least likely to take part in adult learning. It identified three main priorities in its action phase:

1. Increase awareness about the importance of skills for success in work and life, especially among the low-skilled population employers, and increase the motivation to undertake or deliver adult learning.
2. Improve access, quality and relevance of adult learning, including pathways across programs, and monitoring and evaluation of results.
3. Ensure the effective governance and financing of the adult learning system.

“Raising skills is critical to Portugal’s long-term economic success and social well-being,” said Andreas Schleicher, OECD director for education and skills. “Creating a more sustainable and responsive adult-learning system will help equip citizens of all ages with the skills they need to seize the opportunities of a rapidly changing labour market.”

The OECD recently called on neighboring Spain as well to do more to train its workers.