Iceland

  • The adult education sector in Iceland is divided between the formal sector, which includes colleges for further education and the informal sector, which targets adults with less formal qualifications. Lifelong Learning centers operate across the country. Since 2010 the Adult Education Act has shaped the provision of adult learning in Iceland. 

Iceland country reports


Iceland 2021

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  • Developments: New legislative framework for ALE in the works

    The need for a strong adult learning and education (ALE) system had seldom been more apparent than during the global pandemic. Although some challenges related to funding are still visible, there is an effort within the ministry of education to re...

  • Challenges: new funding priorities oversee the potential of ALE

    Funding situation of ALE slightly deteriorated due to changing priorities which put emphasis on funding programmes for the unemployed, distributed through the Directorate of Labour. According to the EAEA member in Iceland, the authorities have to...


Iceland 2020

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  • Developments: Heightened focus on workplace learning

    In the past year the situation of adult education in Iceland has slightly deteriorated, mainly because the government cut funding of the adult education sector. The situation of EAEA’s member Association for Adult Learning in Iceland (Leikn) has s...

  • Challenges: Formalisation as a threat to adult education

    According to Leikn one of the main challenges in Iceland is the formalisation of adult education. The government is taking an instrumental approach to education, prioritizing employability and adapting the education system to serve the needs of the w...

2019

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  • Iceland introduction

    Iceland centres its priorities in adult education around a range of social changes and societal issues the country is facing at the moment.

    Because of this, learning providers try to offer opportunities that would allow learners to adapt to...

  • Recent developments in Iceland

    During this last year, Iceland has seen small changes in the adult education sector. More emphasis is now placed on education and training for the tourist industry and instruction on intercultural awareness. For the future, state and non-governmen...

  • Links to EU and international policy in Iceland

    Iceland is fully committed to implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals, both nationally and internationally. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been integrated into state policies on social, economic and environmen...

  • Challenges and recommendations in Iceland

    LEIKN recommends higher investment of capital in adult education in order to strengthen its voice. Funding for LEIKN could also improve outreach and awareness from the public on adult education, how to access learning opportunities and their benef...


EAEA members view

General situation of adult education
neutral face has stayed the same in 2021
Funding situation of adult education
coin pile with arrow pointing slightly down has slightly deteriorated in 2021

Participation in adult education

% of persons aged 25-64
22.2% participation rate last 4 weeks (European Labour Force Survey 2019)