Nicosia: As pupils and teachers return to school, the European Commission has published a new report providing an overview of recent developments in education spending across Europe, updated to the latest available data from 2024. The report, titled 'Investing in Education 2026,' reveals that EU countries allocated 4.8% of their Gross Domestic Product to education in 2024, which accounts for 9.7% of total public expenditure. Despite this investment, there are significant disparities among Member States, and overall education investment in the EU remains slightly below pre-pandemic levels as a share of public expenditure.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the report highlights the importance of investing in teachers, emphasizing their central role in education systems. Findings indicate that 76.5% of teachers would choose to continue teaching if given the choice to select a new profession. Factors such as remuneration and professional recognition are crucial in making the teaching profession attractive. Salary satisfaction is linked to a higher likelihood of teachers choosing the profession again, alongside supportive working environments and opportunities for professional collaboration. However, workplace stress negatively impacts teachers' willingness to stay in the profession.
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana M®nzatu, stated that teachers are the backbone of Europe's education systems, and investing in them is vital. She emphasized that factors beyond salaries, such as working conditions and professional growth opportunities, are essential for attracting and retaining teachers. The upcoming EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda, part of the Union of Skills, aims to support Member States in addressing these challenges, particularly as many education systems face teacher shortages.
In related developments, the European Commission has initiated an open public consultation and call for evidence on potential revisions to EU rules governing jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in cross-border civil and commercial cases, known as the 'Brussels Ia Regulation.' This initiative seeks feedback to assess the current rules' effectiveness and identify improvements to enhance legal certainty and reduce administrative burdens. The consultation will run for 12 weeks, concluding on 24 November 2026.
Additionally, the European Commission has approved several mergers under the EU Merger Regulation. These include the acquisitions of Caiba and Nosoplas by Portobello, Cobega, and Sonab, as well as AERIAN by Tikehau and Aciturri, and VTS by Accenture. The Commission concluded that these transactions would not raise competition concerns due to the companies' limited market positions. More information on these mergers is available on the Commission's competition website.