Using some indicators regarding levels of schooling and the national average as
a benchmark (although the realities and scales are considerably different), with
reference to a fairly recent period (2011) and static terms, it is evident that the
Azores still have some way to go to make up for a deeply entrenched structural
backwardness in diverse aspects of basic education, so as to differentiate and
qualify individuals in an economically active age group.
The exceptional improvement in illiteracy rates in the Region, a virtual alignment
with the national average in terms of pre-school education and a reduction in
the proportion of the population aged 15 years or more without any level of
schooling completed are all a result of the education policy.
The percentage of the population in the 18-24 age group who have completed
the 3rd cycle at most and who were not studying at the time of the census is
considered to be unfavourable