European study reveals the new, strategic face of home economics education

TALLINN - A recent study covering 44 European countries reveals that home economics education has undergone a major transformation, evolving from traditional cooking into a strategic subject that teaches young people food science, sustainable consumption, and financial literacy.

An analysis by the Science Kitchen of Tallinn University's School of Natural Sciences and Health and partners of the SHAREE (STEAM for Home Economics And Research Exchange) project shows that home economics is a subject in general education in more than half (24) of European countries. While it is a separate, compulsory subject at the lower secondary level in countries like Denmark, Finland, Greece, Malta, North Macedonia, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland, in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, and the United Kingdom, it is integrated into broader fields such as technology, design, or arts and crafts.

The study finds that modern home economics is no longer merely about cooking. It has become an interdisciplinary subject that equips young people with the skills to make informed decisions in their daily lives. Students learn about food science, financial literacy, sustainable consumption, and social responsibility-knowledge and skills with direct applications for everyday life.

Modern home economics education is built on three main pillars. The first is sustainability and well-being, which teaches students to make ethical and healthy choices that consider the environment, personal well-being, and financial management.

The second pillar is scientific awareness, with food science added to the curriculum in several countries. Here, students study topics such as the chemical processes in food and preservation methods.

The third area focuses on management and daily life skills, covering budgeting, consumer education, and fostering a critical attitude towards advertising and consumer culture.

"Home economics serves as a unique bridge between everyday life and today's global challenges," said Jaana Taar, head of the SHAREE project and Tallinn University's Science Kitchen. "It is a subject that combines science, daily life, and sustainable choices-skills that young people need in a rapidly changing world," added Marit Nommik, a researcher on the study and a doctoral student at Tallinn University.