The Adult Participation in Learning Survey provides unique insights into adult learning across the UK. It adopts a deliberately broad definition of learning, reflecting the fact that learning is about much more than formal courses and qualifications.

The 2024 survey shows just over one half (52%) of adults have taken part in learning in the last three years, the highest rate since the survey started in 1996. The increase in participation since the pandemic has been driven by a rise in self-directed learning, including online, and often for personal or leisure reasons. This is positive, but local and national government, employers and others need to make sure adults have routes to more formal learning and accreditation where they want to and where that would be of benefit to them.

The survey reveals stark and persistent disparities in learning for adults. Older people are much less likely to participate in learning, with the likelihood of taking part in learning decreasing by 4% for each additional year of age. Adults in London are 50% more likely to take part in learning than those in the South West, and people in work are twice as likely to take part in learning as those out of work.