Georgia

2024 developments at a glance

• Political landscape and EU membership progress: in June 2024, the adoption of the Strategic outlook and system governanceStrategic outlook and system governance
  Georgia continues to implement the Unified National Strategy for Education and Science 2022–2030, with 54% of actions completed and a new 2025–27 Action Plan under consultation. However, recent political developments have created uncertainty for reform continuity, institutional stability and international cooperation, affecting the pace of education and skills modernisation.
• Education system reforms
  Key reforms progressed in 2024–25, including the rollout of a major secondary‑curriculum update, large‑scale infrastructure investments, and the expansion of school autonomy. Over 5.8 million textbooks were distributed, including bilingual editions for minority learners, while inclusive education services continued to scale across the country. A new Strategy for Professional Orientation, Counselling and Career Planning (2024–2030) aims to strengthen career education within formal schooling.
• Teachers and trainers
  Teacher development remained a priority. Nearly 70% of educators received salary increases, and new training and support measures strengthened special education teaching, bilingual education and school‑level psychosocial services. In VET, a new regulatory framework for teacher recruitment, development and progression was introduced.
• Vocational education and training (VET)
  The new VET Strategy 2024–2030 was approved, focusing on flexible and inclusive provision, stronger employer engagement, and improved quality assurance. VET enrolment reached 17,083 students in 2024 (+83% since 2020), though participation remains low at around 9% of upper‑secondary learners. A pilot integrating VET programmes into 20 public schools expanded access, and work‑based learning participation reached 15% of all VET students. Completion rates remain a major challenge: only 56% of the 2022 cohort graduated.
• Labour market trends
  Employment reached 47.1% in 2024 (up from 42.9% in 2022), with unemployment declining to 13.9%. Youth employment rose to 23.6%, while the NEET rate fell to 24.1%, yet both remain above EU averages. Agriculture continues to employ 16% of the workforce, and vulnerable employment remains high at 28%. A new National Labour and Employment Policy Strategy (2024–2028) is under preparation.
• Youth in focus
  The share of young people aged 15–29 not in employment, education or training decreased from 30.7% (2022) to 24.1% (2024). Youth Guarantee‑type measures piloted under EU4Youth advanced early‑warning systems, NEET identification and career services, but further rollout has slowed due to broader contextual factors.
• Digital transformation
  Digitalisation progressed across general and vocational education: a national LMS now hosts 60 courses, new ICT qualifications were introduced, and DigCompEdu‑aligned teacher training expanded. Yet gaps remain between rural and urban areas, digital pedagogy varies widely, and data systems (EMIS) are still underused for planning and monitoring.
• Green transition
  New green occupational standards were approved in renewable energy, energy management, forestry and building‑materials quality control. VET teachers received training in sustainable forestry and green technologies, while new courses and competitions encouraged green entrepreneurship among learners.
• Adult learning
  Adult participation remains low at 1.6%, well below the EU average (13.3%). Training opportunities remain concentrated in urban areas, and enterprises invest little in workforce development (around 3% of firms). A basic policy and institutional framework exists, but the absence of a national adult learning strategy and limited financial incentives hinder progress.
• Active labour market policies
  Public Employment Services expanded their reach, supporting 14,343 jobseekers in 2024. However, 89% of ALMP participants are engaged in the Public Works Programme—an activation measure only weakly linked to skills development. Participation in training (3,692 people) and internships (81 people) remains low. The Public Works Programme is undergoing revision.

Priorities for 2026

👉 Expand VET integration in public schools to boost enrolment and improve pathways from lower to upper secondary education.
👉 Adapt the school network and financing model to demographic shifts, ensuring equitable access and financial sustainability.
👉 Advance digitalisation and data use, improving digital pedagogy, broadband access and EMIS‑based planning.
👉 Strengthen completion rates in VET, addressing financial and geographic barriers, and scaling guidance and support services.
👉 Develop adult learning pathways with flexible, modular provision and clearer incentives for employers and workers.
👉 Enhance labour‑market relevance through employer engagement, updated standards and stronger work‑based learning.