G u I d e L i n e s m a n u a L s a n d g u I d e L i n e s

1.1. Lifelong learning 

Lifelong learning (LLL) is defined as encompassing ‘all learning activities undertaken throughout 

life, with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competences, within a personal, civic, social 

and/or employment-related perspective

’.

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Lifelong learning includes all learning activities:

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

 

that are purposeful, that is activities which aim to improve behaviour, information, 

knowledge, understanding, attitude, values or skills; 



 

that are ongoing

, which means that they are not incidental or random but have ‘the elements 

of duration and continuity’,

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are organised, and in principle don’t have a minimum duration; 



 

independent of whether they are formal or not; this includes different types of learning, such 

as apprenticeships, second-chance schools, on-the-job or off-the-job education and training, 

self-learning, etc.; 



 

independent of their source of funding

, whether that’s the private sector, the public sector or 

the individual; 



 

independent of their mode of delivery, whether traditional (classroom) or modern (using 

information and communication technologies). 

This concept of lifelong learning concerns the entire population, independent of age and labour 

market status. It includes all kinds of activities ranging from early childhood education to leisure 

education for retired people. It should not be limited to work-related outcomes. 

The definition of LLL is consistent with ISCED, since ISCED defines learning as 

‘individual 

acquisition or modification of information, knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values, skills, 

competencies or behaviours through experience, practice, study or instruction

’.

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 However, the LLL 

definition is based on the process of learning, while the ISCED definition is based on the intended 

outcome. 

                                                           

 

 

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  This is the definition included in the 

Commission’s communication ‘Making a European area of lifelong learning a reality’, 2001. The 

European employment strategy defines LLL as: 

‘all purposeful learning activities, whether formal or informal, undertaken on an 

ongoing basis with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competences

’. 

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Report of the Eurostat task force on measuring lifelong learning (Working paper 3/2001/E/№4). 

8

  ISCED 2011, paragraph 16, page 7.

 

9

   ISCED 2011, paragraph 14, page 7.