Towards a common European Strategy on numeracy? The first cycle of PIAAC (OECD, 2016) showed that around 20% - 25% of the workforce in the participating countries scored at level 1 or below in the numeracy scale, making it a problem as big, or arguably even bigger, than the number of people scoring low on literacy. The lack of numeracy skills among these people increases the risk of unemployment and may influence family life and social inclusion. In particular, low-skilled workers are at risk in the labour market, particularly when faced with adaptations in the labour market. The Council of the European Union emphasises that adult learning is a means for upskilling or reskilling those affected by unemployment, restructuring and career transition, while simultaneously it makes an important contribution towards social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development. The recommendation on Upskilling Pathways states that the lack of sufficient basic skills can lead to complex challenges in societies: "Low-qualified people with fundamental weaknesses in basic skills may constitute a high proportion of the unemployed (in particular long-term unemployed) and other vulnerable groups, for instance older workers, economically inactive people and third-country nationals. Such weaknesses make it more difficult for them to enter or return to the labour market." The European Council recommends the enhancement of basic skills including literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and digital skills as part of the Europe 2020 Strategy. See for instance the New European Agenda for Adult Learning (2021-2030). In the frame of lifelong learning, therefore, adult numeracy education has an important role in the development of good programs for basic skills for the future. More information on epale.ec.europa.eu.