The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is a forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis and best practices in public policy. We work with over 100 countries across the world to build stronger, fairer and cleaner societies – helping to shape better policies for better lives.
OECD
EDUCATION AT A GLANCE 2026
Teacher shortages are putting pressure on education systems across the OECD
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Teacher shortages affect most OECD education systems to varying degrees, with recruitment challenges particularly acute in mathematics and science, as well as in rural, remote and disadvantaged communities.
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Teacher shortages are a widespread concern
Teacher shortages affect most OECD education systems, but their scale and form vary. In Latvia and Luxembourg, around 4% of secondary teaching positions were unfilled at the start of the 2024/25 school year. In most other countries with available data, vacancy rates were below 3%, and often below 1%.
Shortages are more commonly reflected in the recruitment of teachers who do not hold standard qualifications. Across OECD countries, 9.1% of primary and secondary teachers were not fully qualified in 2024/25. Staffing pressures can also be aggravated by long-term absences: the share of teachers absent for more than two months reached 11% in Austria and 9% in Korea.
Shortages are rarely evenly distributed. They are often more severe in remote or disadvantaged areas and tend to be concentrated in particular subjects. Mathematics and natural sciences are especially affected, while shortages are generally less widespread in arts, social studies and physical education.
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About the OECD
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is a forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis and best practices in public policy. We work with over 100 countries across the world to build stronger, fairer and cleaner societies – helping to shape better policies for better lives.