STEM Education Strategic Plan

Skills for competitiveness and innovation

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Introduction:

The EU’s strategic plan addresses critical challenges in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education as part of the Union of Skills strategy. To unlock its full potential, the EU must leverage its human capital. The Competitiveness Compass highlights gaps in productivity and innovation, urging a stronger focus on key technology sectors requiring skilled STEM workers. However, demand is rising due to technological disruptions, while the working-age population is shrinking.

Despite efforts in the European Education Area, stronger STEM education and training are needed to sustain competitiveness and technological leadership. PISA results show declining STEM skills: in 2022, 30% of students lacked basic proficiency in mathematics (up from 23% in 2018), while 24% struggled in science (up from 22%). Shortages persist in vocational and tertiary STEM graduates, especially in ICT, clean tech, and cultural industries, and gender gaps remain. The EU must also attract and retain global STEM talent to maintain strategic autonomy.

Boosting STEM skills requires urgent action from the EU and Member States. The Draghi and Letta reports stress the importance of aligning education with labour market needs and broadening skills beyond basic numeracy, including digital, green, and STEM skills. STEM education is also crucial for social mobility, employability, and digital and financial literacy.

To foster innovation, the EU must strengthen links between STEM education, research, and industry, supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs in AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. This plan sets out EU measures to increase STEM talent, complementing the action plan on basic skills. Success depends on collective engagement across EU institutions, Member States, industry, and education sectors to expand and align national STEM strategies with shared EU objectives.

Find the full STEM EducationStrategic Plan here: STEM_Education_Strategic_Plan_COM_2025_89_1_EN_0.pdf

_{Published on https://stemcoalition.eu/: March 10, 2025}