TALIS 2024: Lower secondary teachers are satisfied with their work – Increasing diversity in schools challenges teachers to learn new skills
Finnish teachers in lower secondary education enjoy their work, but they are experiencing more stress than before. In Finland, the share of teachers considering a career change has increased, although it remains similar to the OECD average. Trust among colleagues is strong, and collaboration between teachers has grown.
These findings are based on the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), which covered 53 countries and territories. In Finland, 4,300 lower secondary school teachers and 226 principals participated in the survey. This was Finland’s third time participating in TALIS.
The study provides broad insights into teachers’ views on wellbeing at work, working conditions, school leadership, and the status of the teaching profession. It also examines teaching practices and teachers’ perspectives on professional development.
Job satisfaction has declined, but collaboration has increased
Most Finnish lower secondary teachers are satisfied with their work: 89 per cent agreed that the advantages of being a teacher outweighed the disadvantages. The OECD average for this indicator is 74 per cent.
However, job satisfaction among Finnish teachers has declined in recent years. Between 2013 and 2024, satisfaction dropped from 91 per cent to 85 per cent. This places Finland below the OECD average of 89 per cent.
The growing diversity in schools and the increasing need for student support are reflected in teachers’ professional learning needs. Areas for development included using artificial intelligence, teaching students with special education needs, supporting students’ social and emotional development, and teaching in multicultural or multilingual settings.
Collaboration among teachers has increased. For example, team teaching grew by 15 percentage points between 2013 and 2024. Teachers reported that students and teachers generally get along well. Compared to their OECD peers, Finnish teachers more often felt that parents and guardians valued their work.
- OECD TALIS 2024 full report
- OECD Participant Note on Finland’s results
- Summary of Finland's results in Finnish and Swedish
How TALIS 2024 results are published
Finland participated in the main TALIS 2024 survey, which focused on lower secondary school teachers and principals. The international results were published on 7 October 2025.
For the first time, Finland also took part in the TALIS Starting Strong module, which targets staff in early childhood education and pre-primary education, as well as leaders of early education centres and schools providing pre-primary education.
Results of the Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey will be published on 2 December 2025. The Ministry will publish the national reports on both lower secondary education and early childhood education and care by January 2026.
TALIS results will be discussed at a national seminar in January 2026. Details of the seminar will be announced later in the Ministry’s event calendar.
The OECD will also publish thematic reports later, focusing on topics such as sustainable development and school leadership.
Inquiries
- Marjo Vesalainen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330 352
- Kirsi Alila, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330 365
- Matti Taajamo, Senior Researcher, University of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 40 805 4281
