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The academic results of students in France are deteriorating over time and compared with other countries, and are strongly affected by social factors and gender. Yet improving educational performance levels would be a source of long-term growth for the French economy. Assessment of education policies identifies the most effective actions and shows, in particular, the significant impact on academic performance of increasing the teacher-student ratio.

2025-12-02T00:00:00+01:00<p>The academic performance levels of students in France are declining over time and in comparison with other countries. National assessments show a slump in academic achievement in mathematics and French over the past 30 years. A survey by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) confirms this decline, which is faster than in other countries, although performance levels in France remain close to the OECD average and, out of OECD countries, are among the most strongly correlated with social background and reveal significant gender gaps.&nbsp;</p> <p>Reversing the trend in educational performance levels would be a source of long-term growth for the French economy. Indeed, a large proportion of the productivity gains in developed economies can be explained by the accumulation of human capital, mainly acquired during initial training. Reducing gender and social inequality would increase the pool of potential innovators and skilled workers.&nbsp;</p> <p>Assessment of education policies is essential, to identify the most effective actions and optimise their socio-economic impact. In particular, the literature shows that increasing the teacher-student ratio has a significant impact on academic performance levels. Teacher training and in-service professional development, as well as the appropriate and judicious use of digital resources, which are still underutilised in France, can also have a positive effect on learning.</p> <p>Additional resources have been allocated to the education system in recent years (an 11% increase in domestic education expenditure in constant euros per student in primary education between 2017 and 2023). Halving of class sizes has been gradually implemented since the start of the 2017 academic year for students in the first and second years of primary school and in the final year of nursery school in priority education networks, to target students from disadvantaged social backgrounds in the acquisition of core knowledge.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="marge" src="/Articles/b67cf7ba-14d3-48b4-b3a5-e1efb1032ce7/images/a46f7059-cd7d-4700-9826-fed75c466481" alt="Visuel TE-377en" /></p>0a16fab0-e5cd-45bc-bd5c-86e1544d9e62

Apprenticeship has grown sharply in popularity since 2018, driven by the deregulation of the system and increased government funding. Their growth has come alongside more diverse profiles, with apprentices often studying in higher education and more employers operating in the service sector. Apprenticeship facilitates the school-to-work transition, particularly at the occupational certification and secondary vocational school levels, but their impact is more limited at higher degree levels.

2025-11-25T00:00:00+01:00<p>In France, apprenticeships in secondary and higher education settings combine on-the-job training with formal learning at an apprentice training centre. At the end of the training period, apprentices obtain an occupational qualification, such as a diploma, degree or other occupational certification. Apprenticeships are meant to foster the employability of young graduates.</p> <p>Since the 2018 reform of the system, apprenticeships have grown sharply in popularity among students pursuing their education. 879,000 new apprenticeship contracts were signed in 2024, compared to 306,000 in 2017, bringing the number of apprentices with an ongoing contract to one million at the end of 2024. This expansion was facilitated by the deregulation of the programmes offered by apprentice training centres. It was also bolstered by more flexible rules for contracts and the introduction of a government single subsidy scheme for employers of apprentices.</p> <p>The sharp increase in apprenticeships has come with an almost tripled cost for the public purse. In 2023, the cost to public finances reached around &euro;15bn, or &euro;14,700 per apprentice. This level of government support is considerably higher than that of other European countries where apprenticeships are deeply rooted, such as Germany. Adjustments to apprenticeship support schemes in 2025 will help to curb their cost.</p> <p>The rise in apprenticeships has occurred alongside major changes in the profiles of apprentices, who are now more likely to be students in higher education than in secondary school, and of employers, with a shift towards the service sector.</p> <p>Apprenticeships are associated with an overall smoother transition from school to work for young people compared to academic-track students not doing an apprenticeship. For young people having obtained an occupational certification (certificat d&rsquo;aptitude professionnelle &ndash; CAP) in 2021, 63% of apprentices were employed 18 months after their apprenticeship, compared to just 36% of academic-track students. This impact is less marked, however, as a person&rsquo;s education level rises, and appears to be minimal at the master&rsquo;s level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="marge" src="/Articles/0a16fab0-e5cd-45bc-bd5c-86e1544d9e62/images/dbc746f6-4297-4337-a0c1-33061ff31ff5" alt="Visuel TE-376en" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>