Absent teachers
Teacher shortages are putting pressure on education systems across the OECD. 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, according to a new report. Education at a Glance 2026, the OECD’s annual compendium of comparable […] Absent…
Teacher shortages are straining education systems throughout the OECD, with particular challenges in mathematics, science, and rural or disadvantaged areas. A new report from Education at a Glance 2026 highlights that recruiting, retaining, and deploying qualified teachers is increasingly difficult, especially as the teaching workforce ages. Education leaders emphasize the need to plan ahead, retain existing teachers, and expand the teacher pipeline while maintaining standards.
While official vacancies represent less than four percent of the total teaching workforce in 2024-25, shortages persist in specific subjects, schools, and regions. Eleven out of 16 countries report secondary-level mathematics and science teacher shortages. Qualified teachers face challenges, with nine percent of primary and secondary teachers lacking full qualifications on average across OECD nations.
Nine countries—Chile, Denmark, Estonia, and Germany—exceed an 18 percent figure, whereas Japan and Korea require full qualification before entering the profession.
A significant proportion of secondary teachers—25 percent—are aged 55 or older, exacerbating recruitment pressures. Despite job satisfaction among 85 percent of teachers, only 22 percent believe teaching is valued by society. Teacher pay, while generally on par with other tertiary-educated workers, often falls short of comparable non-teaching roles. Workload management, professional autonomy, school leadership, career development, and public recognition also influence teacher attractiveness.
Teacher shortages mirror broader skilled labor shortages, as education systems vie with other sectors for qualified professionals. Addressing these challenges requires optimizing existing capacity, diversifying entry routes into teaching, and maintaining high standards. Technology, including artificial intelligence, and specialized support staff can alleviate administrative burdens, allowing teachers to focus on instruction, student support, and professional growth.
Demographic trends offer an opportunity to optimally allocate teachers and resources during a projected decline in children aged 5-14 over the next decade. Policymakers can now redirect these resources to schools, subjects, and communities experiencing significant shortages.
Written by urgent.news from Emerging Europe's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
