Romania has one of the highest school dropout rates in the EU, at 16.8% in 2024, nearly three times higher than the European average.

The rate of early school leaving in Romania is one of the highest in the European Union, according to Eurostat data processed by the Social Monitor. In 2024, 16.8% of young people aged between 18 and 24 have left education, a negligible decrease compared to 17% in 2013, while the European average has decreased from 11% to 9.4%.

The regions with the highest dropout rates are South-East (26%), Centre (21%) and South-Muntenia (19%), all exceeding the EU average. The only region with a decrease in dropout rates is North-East, from 25% to 16%.

The persistence of these high rates reflects the limited effectiveness of state interventions. Additionally, the employment poverty rate of 10.9% is closely linked to school dropout, affecting the integration of young people into the labor market and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Almost half of those who drop out of school do not work and do not seek a job, exacerbating the problem.