This page shows how the six economies compare in the Education area. The charts below show where they stand relative to the EU average, the change over the previous year, and the estimated time needed to reach the EU average if the trends of the past five years continue. They show this first for the area as a whole, then for each of the six indicators in this area, together with their latest values.
Serbia and Montenegro led the region in the Education area in 2025, at 81% and 80% of the EU average. Albania and Kosovo followed, at 71% and 69%, and North Macedonia at 67%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina was furthest behind, at 59%.
Montenegro was the only country to improve relative to the EU average in 2025, by 0.4 pp, while Bosnia and Herzegovina stagnated. Serbia, Kosovo and Albania slipped back by around 0.4 pp, while North Macedonia saw the largest decline, of 0.8 pp.
At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, Serbia would be the first to reach the EU level in the Education area, in 32 years, followed by North Macedonia, in 38 years. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro would need around 5 decades and Albania around 8 decades, while Kosovo is more than 100 years away.
Public spending on education in 2025 was highest in Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, at 4.0-4.1% of GDP. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania spent less, at 3.1-3.4% of GDP.
Relative to the EU average, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia stood at 84-87% of the EU level. Serbia was at 72%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania were furthest behind, at 68% and 65%.
All six countries increased public spending on education relative to the EU in 2025. Albania recorded the largest improvement, of 7.6 pp, followed by North Macedonia and Serbia, with 6.8 pp each, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 5.8 pp. Montenegro and Kosovo improved by 4.6 pp and 3.9 pp.
At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, North Macedonia would reach the EU level in 8 years and Montenegro in 28 years, while Albania is more than 100 years away. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia are diverging from the EU average.
Harmonised test scores in 2025 were highest in Serbia, at 487.5 points. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania were close together, at 441-448 points, followed by North Macedonia, at 422.8 points, while Kosovo had the lowest score, at 395.8 points.
Relative to the EU average, Serbia's test scores were close to the EU level, at 97%. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania stood at 87-89% and North Macedonia at 84%, while Kosovo was furthest behind, at 78%.
3 of the 6 countries improved relative to the EU in 2025. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded the largest gain, of 3.1 pp, followed by Serbia, with 1.3 pp, and Montenegro, with 0.6 pp. Kosovo and North Macedonia fell back by 0.4 pp and 1.0 pp, while Albania saw the largest decline, of 3.6 pp.
At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina would reach the EU level in 13 and 18 years, while Montenegro would need around a century. Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia are diverging from the EU average.
Tertiary education enrolment in 2025 was highest in Albania, at 84.1% of the tertiary-age population, followed by Serbia, at 70.6%. Montenegro and North Macedonia stood at around 55%, while Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina had the lowest rates, at 48.1% and 45.5%.
Albania is the only country above the EU average, at 105% of the EU level, while Serbia stood at 88%. Montenegro and North Macedonia were at 69% and 68%, and Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 60% and 57%.
Albania was the only country to improve relative to the EU in 2025, by a remarkable 23.8 pp. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia slipped back by 0.3 pp each, while Serbia and Kosovo saw larger declines, of 3.7 pp and 5.3 pp.
Albania has already converged with the EU average. At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, North Macedonia would reach the EU level in 15 years, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia are diverging from the EU average.
Tertiary education attainment in 2025 was highest in Montenegro, at 31.9% of the corresponding age group, followed by Serbia, at 26.9%. Kosovo and North Macedonia stood at around 24% and Albania at 20.4%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina had the lowest rate, at 16.6%.
Relative to the EU average, Montenegro was closest to the EU level, at 93%, followed by Serbia, at 78%. Kosovo and North Macedonia were both at 69% and Albania at 60%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina was furthest behind, at 48%.
Montenegro recorded by far the largest improvement relative to the EU in 2025, of 7.4 pp, while Bosnia and Herzegovina improved by 0.5 pp. Serbia and North Macedonia slipped back by 0.3 pp and 0.7 pp, while Albania and Kosovo saw larger declines, of 1.6 pp and 1.9 pp.
At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, Montenegro would reach the EU level in 3 years and Kosovo in 8 years. Serbia would need 32 years and Bosnia and Herzegovina 48 years, while Albania and North Macedonia are diverging from the EU average.
Pre-primary school enrolment in 2025 was highest in Kosovo, at 87.6% of the corresponding age group, followed by Serbia and Montenegro, at 79.5% and 78.6%. Albania stood at 69.2% and North Macedonia at 48.3%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina had by far the lowest rate, at 25.5%.
Relative to the EU average, Kosovo was closest to the EU level, at 92%, followed by Serbia and Montenegro, at 84% and 83%. Albania stood at 73% and North Macedonia at 51%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina was far behind, at 27%.
3 of the 6 countries improved relative to the EU in 2025. Serbia recorded the largest gain, of 8.1 pp, followed by North Macedonia, with 2.2 pp, while Montenegro improved only marginally, by 0.1 pp. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania slipped back by 0.1 pp and 0.2 pp, and Kosovo by 1.7 pp.
At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, Serbia would reach the EU level in 7 years and Montenegro in 11 years. North Macedonia would need 45 years and Bosnia and Herzegovina more than 100 years, while Albania and Kosovo are diverging from the EU average.
The NEET rate in 2025 was lowest in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, at 13-15%. North Macedonia and Albania stood at 19.3% and 20.9%, while Kosovo had by far the highest rate, at 31.4%.
Relative to the EU average, Serbia performed best, at 69% of the EU level, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, at 62% and 60%. North Macedonia and Albania stood at 47% and 43%, while Kosovo was furthest behind, at 29%.
All six countries fell back relative to the EU in 2025. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo saw the smallest declines, of 0.5 pp and 0.6 pp, followed by Albania, with 1.0 pp, and Serbia, with 2.1 pp. North Macedonia and Montenegro fell back the most, by 3.9 pp and 4.8 pp.
At the pace of improvement from the past 5 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina would reach the EU level in 17 years and Montenegro in 25 years, while Albania and Serbia are more than 100 years away. Kosovo and North Macedonia are diverging from the EU average.
converge2.eu is an evidence-based initiative that sheds light on how the Western Balkans are converging with EU living standards. Our goal is to support evidence-based policymaking, informed journalism, and regional dialogue. We apply rigorous methodology, use comparable data, present them raw on a dahsboard and offer informed, independent and unbiased interpretation and advice.
