Over 60% Upper Secondary Students Learn Two or More Languages in School: Eurostat Report

According to a recent report by Eurostat, around 60% of students enrolled in upper secondary education across Europe are learning two or more foreign languages. The trend shows that multilingual education is not just a requirement but is increasingly being adopted across several countries. In some nations like France and Romania, the percentage is even

I’m writing about this topic because it highlights an important shift in how education systems are adapting to a connected and multilingual world. Knowing more than one language is no longer just a bonus; it’s becoming a basic skill. In a country like India where linguistic diversity is already high, the European model offers useful insights. We need to ask ourselves how well we’re preparing students for a global stage, and if we’re giving enough importance to language learning in our own upper secondary schools.

Multilingualism Becoming the Norm in Secondary Classrooms

Learning multiple languages is no longer limited to elite or international schools. According to the Eurostat data, countries like France (96%), Romania (97%), and Finland (98%) report that nearly all students at the upper secondary level study at least two foreign languages. The EU average stands at 60.1%, and this number has been fairly stable since 2021.

Here are a few standout examples from the report:

Luxembourg: Every student learns three languages by default
France: 96% of students learn two or more foreign languages
Romania: Over 97% students study at least two foreign languages
Czechia and Finland: Numbers exceed 90%

Meanwhile, countries like Ireland and Greece report significantly lower percentages, with less than 20% of students studying multiple foreign languages.

Why Language Learning at This Level Matters

Upper secondary education is a crucial stage before higher education or entry into the workforce. Learning more than one language at this level helps students:

Improve cognitive skills and memory
Access higher education opportunities abroad
Compete in international job markets
Build intercultural communication skills

In many cases, knowing multiple languages opens up doors to careers in diplomacy, tourism, content localisation, international trade, and more. It also helps promote social cohesion in multicultural environments.

What Can India Learn from This?

India is naturally multilingual, but structured foreign language learning at the school level is still limited. Most students learn regional languages and English, but few get access to third-language options like German, French, or Mandarin unless they are in urban or private institutions.

To bring multilingual education to a wider base, the following can be considered:

Introduce more foreign language electives in state board and CBSE schools
Partner with international cultural bodies like Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, and Instituto Cervantes
Use tech tools and apps to make language learning affordable and accessible

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.