Attention on the educational landscape in Andalucía is higher than ever: for the first time in many years, the region is showing results that could shift the balance of power on Spain’s educational map. For thousands of families and young people, these changes represent not only new opportunities but also unexpected challenges. For the first time since records began, the early school dropout rate here has fallen below 15%, while the share of young people neither studying nor working has reached its lowest point since 2018.
Such progress has not gone unnoticed: debates in professional circles and on social networks are ongoing. Some see it as a long-awaited breakthrough, while others raise new questions. Why has Andalucía been able to close the gap with the rest of Spain now, and what changes lie behind the dry statistics?
Record-breaking results
Since 2019, the region has managed to reduce its early school dropout rate by 7.1 percentage points. For the first time, this figure has fallen below 15%, marking a historic low for Andalucía. Compared to five years ago, the change is even more striking: back then, the gap with the national average was 4.3 points, and now it has narrowed to just 1.7. For three consecutive years, the region has maintained its lowest-ever dropout rates since observations began.
At the same time, the share of so-called ‘nini’—young people aged 15 to 24 who neither study nor work—fell to 14.55%. That’s 4.49 points lower than in 2018, and almost 10 points less than a decade ago. For many families, this isn’t just a statistic, but a real opportunity for a different future for their children.
Graduates and diplomas
The situation with graduates is just as remarkable. For the first time, Andalusia has surpassed the national average for the number of students who received a diploma in compulsory secondary education (ESO) and for baccalaureate graduates. In 2024, 88.9% of students who completed the fourth year of ESO received their diploma—higher than the Spanish average of 88.5%. Over the last six years, this figure has risen by 5 points.
Among baccalaureate graduates, the numbers are even more impressive: 90.5% of those who finished the second year earned their diploma, also exceeding the national rate (89.8%). Over six years, the increase amounted to 10.8 points. These figures show that the region is not just catching up, but beginning to outpace other autonomous communities on key educational metrics.
Vocational education
Andalusia is also leading the way in vocational education. Together with País Vasco, the region ranks first in the country for the share of graduates from advanced vocational education programs (FP de grado superior)—83% nationwide. For three consecutive years, the proportion of graduates from basic vocational education in Andalusia has surpassed the national average.
These changes not only reflect the achievements of the education system but also impact the labor market. The decrease in the number of ‘ninis’ and the rise in graduates could reshape the employment landscape in the region, which is especially significant given the economic challenges of recent years.
Skepticism and expectations
Despite record numbers, not all experts share this optimism. Some analysts point out that the rapid growth may be linked to changes in calculation methods or to temporary support measures. On social media, people discuss how sustainable these gains are and whether they might lead to new problems in the future.
Nevertheless, for Andalusia these results are more than just statistics—they are a real reason to discuss the region’s future. Whether the positive trend can be maintained and what changes await the education system remains an open question. But one thing is already clear: Andalusia is no longer seen as an underdog in Spain’s educational race.
