Educational inequality is not just a research issue – it is a societal challenge. While substantial longitudinal research has been conducted, critical blind spots remain. Targeted policy action, infrastructure investment, and more inclusive research efforts are essential for achieving a more equitable educational future across Europe.

As part of the MapIE project, we conducted a scoping literature review of the existing longitudinal studies that investigated educational inequalities across Europe. Key findings reveal that studies have focused on the effects of socioeconomic status and measurements of academic outcomes. Further, our results indicate an underrepresentation of studies conducted in Eastern and Southern Europe, and a shortage of research into early education, intersectionality, and the effectiveness of intervention studies. Policymakers should support research that addresses these critical gaps.

Below you can find a policy brief summarizing the report. The full report can be downloaded from here.