Adult participation in learning survey

Our Adult Participation in Learning survey is the longest running and most frequently occurring study of adult learning in the UK. It adopts a broad definition of learning, including formal, non-formal and informal learning, rather than just publicly offered educational opportunities for adults.

Each survey, 5,000 adults aged 17 and over are asked about:

their experiences of learning
when they last took part in learning
and how likely they are to do so in the future.

The survey, which began in 1996, provides a unique overview of the level of participation in learning by adults, with a detailed breakdown of participants and non-participants over a span of 25 years.

Our surveys consistently show that participation in learning varies by social class, employment status, age and prior learning.

Explore trend data from the past 27 years in our interactive charts. The data can be broken down by demographics, learning status and other useful variables.

The latest survey shows the number of adults participating in learning has hit a historic high, though inequalities persist between groups.

Research and Reports 29 08 2024

Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023: Regional reports

Since 1996, L&W has been undertaking the Adult Participation in Learning Survey. These twelve reports take a closer look at levels of participation in learning in different regions and nations of the UK.

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Using technology to support learning and work: Insights from the Adult Participation in Learning Survey

Sophie Hall shares insights from the Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023 on how adults are using technology for learning and how confident they feel to do this.
Research and Reports 06 11 2023

Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023

For more than 25 years, the Adult Participation in Learning Survey has provided a unique insight into adult learning across the UK. It adopts a deliberately broad definition of learning. Discover our findings from 2023.

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National survey records adult participation in learning at a historic high but identifies persistent inequalities between groups

The results from the Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023 show that almost one in every two adults in the UK have taken part in learning in the last three years – the highest participation rate recorded since the survey began in 1996. Yet stark and persistent inequalities remain.
Research and Reports 12 05 2023

Time to learn

This report provides the most detailed snapshot seen of which groups of adults are investing in learning, and how much, and lays bare stark inequalities in learning. It calls for a new Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

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Reskilling for Net Zero

The UK Government’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will bring a major shift in the labour market – with changes to existing jobs, the creation of new ones, and the growth of jobs already considered to be ‘green’.

Get in touch

For further information about adult participation in learning or to talk to us about how you can get involved contact: Emily Jones

emily.jones@learningandwork.org.uk @LearnWorkUK

Did you find what you were looking for?

Explore our work by our six key themes:

Adult participation in learning survey

Explore trend data from the past 27 years in our interactive charts. The data can be broken down by demographics, learning status and other useful variables.

Rates of adult participation in learning

Likelihood of future learning

Methods of learning

Motivations for learning

Benefits of learning

Barriers to learning

The latest survey shows the number of adults participating in learning has hit a historic high, though inequalities persist between groups.

Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023: Regional reports

Using technology to support learning and work: Insights from the Adult Participation in Learning Survey

Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023

National survey records adult participation in learning at a historic high but identifies persistent inequalities between groups

Time to learn

Reskilling for Net Zero

Media coverage of latest report

FE Week

Tes

The Telegraph

FE News

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Get in touch