20% of young Belgians have no high school diploma, study shows

A study published on Tuesday by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that 18% of the 25- to 34-year-olds in Belgium has no upper secondary, or high school diploma.

According to the study Education at a Glance 2015, Belgium scores below average compared to the 34 OECD countries, where 17% of the youngsters have no high school diploma. In the 21 EU Member States, the rate is even lower, at 15%. In neighbouring countries Germany and Luxembourg, this number is just 13%.

"Not only are they entering the labour market without a diploma, but also with very few skills, making it easier to fall into a spiral of long-term unemployment and social exclusion,” OECD education expert Dirk Van Damme told the VRT.

The study also reveals that in the larger age category of 25- to 64-year-olds, 26% of Belgians have no high school diploma.