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PISA 2022 Analysis Finds 52% of Argentine 15-Year-Olds Lack a Clear Career Plan

Experts call for stronger school career guidance to connect learning with real jobs.

Overview

  • A new Argentinos por la Educación report using PISA 2022 data finds adolescent job uncertainty in Argentina jumped from 22% in 2018 to 52%, outpacing the OECD average of 39%.
  • Uncertainty is highest for students facing disadvantage, with 59% in the poorest quintile reporting no clear job versus 39% in the richest, and 56% of low math scorers uncertain versus 38% who met the basic level.
  • Among teens who do name a job, choices cluster in few roles and track gender lines, as boys most often cite athlete (11%), engineer (8.2%) and IT, while girls favor doctor (11.6%), psychologist (10.9%) and lawyer (9.8%).
  • The study flags low diversity of ambitions, noting 60% of Argentine students concentrate in just ten occupations compared with 44% across 81 countries, in what some experts dub a visible but narrow horizon.
  • PISA asks 15-year-olds what job they expect at age 30, and OECD research links having a clear plan at that age to better work outcomes later, which is why authors urge stronger vocational guidance and school–work ties.