Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A skilled workforce is essential for economies to grow. But in many countries, unequal access to skill development opportunities continues to hold people and societies back.
Drawing on the OECD Skills Outlook 2025, this video explains why family background remains the strongest driver of skills gaps. Adults whose parents did not attend university have lower literacy, numeracy, and adaptive problem‑solving skills and earn 11% less, unless education and skills are equal.
Across OECD countries, around half of skills differences are explained by education pathways, with 61% of university‑educated adults participating in training compared to 19% without a degree. The evidence highlights what works: early learning, inclusive schooling, relevant adult training and recognition of skills wherever they are acquired.
Join us on 11 June | 17:00 CEST for a webinar “Levelling the Playing Field: Socio-Economic Conditions and Skills Development” register at meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CX2oef6bQEGZJdIe2w8zKg#/registration
Read more about the OECD Skills Outlook 2025 oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-skills-outlook-2025_26163cd3-en.html
To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to oecd.org/about/.
Speakers
Francesca Borgonovi | Senior Policy Analyst, OECD Centre for Skills
Chapters
00:00 – The future of work and changing skills demands
00:14 – How family background drives skills gaps
01:03 – Education pathways and unequal learning access
02:16 – What works to reduce skills inequality
What you’ll learn in this video
1. How is the future of work changing skills needs?
Technological change, population ageing, and the green transition are increasing demand for adaptability, problem solving, and continuous learning.
2. Why does family background still drive skills gaps?
The Skills Outlook 2025 shows that family background is the strongest determinant of skills inequality because it shapes access to learning from early on. Socio-economic gaps that emerge before school are usually narrowed during compulsory education. But differences re-emerge when students follow different educational paths.
3. What skills and earnings gaps persist across generations?
Adults whose parents did not attend university have lower literacy, numeracy, and problem‑solving skills and earn 11% less, unless education and skills are equal.
4. How do education pathways widen or narrow skills gaps?
Across OECD countries, around half of skills differences by socio economic background are explained by differences in education pathways between groups. Those from more advantaged families are far more likely to pursue advanced studies than their less advantaged peers, in part because they often can afford to stay in education for longer. With respect to adult learning, 61% of university graduates engage in training regularly versus 19% of those without degrees.
5. What policies help reduce skills inequality?
OECD evidence highlights investment in early learning, inclusive schooling, access to relevant adult training, and recognition of skills wherever and whenever they are acquired.
#oecd #oecdskills #inequality #socialmobility #publicpolicy #policymakers #skilldevelopment #betterpoliciesforbetterlives
A skilled workforce is essential for economies to grow. But in many countries, unequal access to skill development opportunities continues to hold people and societies back.
Drawing on the OECD Skills Outlook 2025, this video explains why family background remains the strongest driver of skills gaps. Adults whose parents did not attend university have lower literacy, numeracy, and adaptive problem‑solving skills and earn 11% less, unless education and skills are equal.
Across OECD countries, around half of skills differences are explained by education pathways, with 61% of university‑educated adults participating in training compared to 19% without a degree. The evidence highlights what works: early learning, inclusive schooling, relevant adult training and recognition of skills wherever they are acquired.
Join us on 11 June | 17:00 CEST for a webinar “Levelling the Playing Field: Socio-Economic Conditions and Skills Development” register at meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CX2oef6bQEGZJdIe2w8zKg#/registration
Read more about the OECD Skills Outlook 2025 oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-skills-outlook-2025_26163cd3-en.html
To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to oecd.org/about/.
Speakers
Francesca Borgonovi | Senior Policy Analyst, OECD Centre for Skills
Chapters
00:00 – The future of work and changing skills demands
00:14 – How family background drives skills gaps
01:03 – Education pathways and unequal learning access
02:16 – What works to reduce skills inequality
What you’ll learn in this video
1. How is the future of work changing skills needs?
Technological change, population ageing, and the green transition are increasing demand for adaptability, problem solving, and continuous learning.
2. Why does family background still drive skills gaps?
The Skills Outlook 2025 shows that family background is the strongest determinant of skills inequality because it shapes access to learning from early on. Socio-economic gaps that emerge before school are usually narrowed during compulsory education. But differences re-emerge when students follow different educational paths.
3. What skills and earnings gaps persist across generations?
Adults whose parents did not attend university have lower literacy, numeracy, and problem‑solving skills and earn 11% less, unless education and skills are equal.
4. How do education pathways widen or narrow skills gaps?
Across OECD countries, around half of skills differences by socio economic background are explained by differences in education pathways between groups. Those from more advantaged families are far more likely to pursue advanced studies than their less advantaged peers, in part because they often can afford to stay in education for longer. With respect to adult learning, 61% of university graduates engage in training regularly versus 19% of those without degrees.
5. What policies help reduce skills inequality?
OECD evidence highlights investment in early learning, inclusive schooling, access to relevant adult training, and recognition of skills wherever and whenever they are acquired.
#oecd #oecdskills #inequality #socialmobility #publicpolicy #policymakers #skilldevelopment #betterpoliciesforbetterlives
