Luxembourg sets the bar in multilingual education

According to a recent Eurostat report, a significant majority of pupils in the EU's primary and secondary education systems are studying at least one foreign language. The 2021 report, published in the context of this year's European Day of Languages, revealed that 86.3% of pupils in primary education, 98.5% in lower secondary, and 91% in upper secondary education were immersed in learning a new language.

Luxembourg stands out prominently in this linguistic landscape. Every student in upper secondary general education in the country studied two or more foreign languages, reflecting a commitment to fostering global citizens who are adept in navigating multiple cultures and economies. The nation is matched in this achievement only by France, showcasing an exemplary model of multilingual education.

© Eurostat

In the broader EU context, English remains the predominant choice, with 96.8% of students in general upper secondary education and 78.6% in vocational education opting for the global lingua franca. Spanish, French, German, and Italian also have significant followings, showcasing the EU's rich tapestry of linguistic diversity.

© Eurostat

However, it is in the realm of multilingual education that Luxembourg truly shines. In addition to the universal bilingual or multilingual competency in upper secondary general education, 75% of students in vocational education are also versed in two or more languages. This places Luxembourg in the esteemed company of nations like Romania and Finland, where such educational achievements are integral to the national character.

Furthermore, Luxembourg's achievement is significant in light of the 2021 data that indicated only 61.0% of students in upper secondary general education (ISCED level 34) across the EU studied two or more foreign languages. In vocational education (ISCED level 35), this figure dropped to 34.9%.