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Majority of Argentine 15-Year-Olds Lack a Career Plan, New PISA-Based Report Finds

Experts say the surge reflects pandemic and economic strain that hinder long-term planning.

Overview

  • The education group Argentinos por la Educación, in findings reported Thursday, says 52% of Argentine 15-year-olds could not name the job they expect to have at age 30.
  • The share without a stated career goal jumped from 22% in 2018 to 52% in 2022, outpacing the OECD trend that rose from 25% to 39%.
  • Uncertainty is higher for poorer students at 59% versus 39% in the wealthiest group, and for those below basic math level at 56% versus 38% among peers who met that bar.
  • Among teens who do choose, plans cluster in a narrow set of roles, with 60% naming just ten occupations and 11% of boys picking professional athlete, a low-probability path.
  • The report urges schools to expand career guidance and build closer links to employers, as specialists link the rise in doubt to pandemic disruptions and a job market marked by inflation, informality and unstable work.