ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the question how education policy can adjust the quality of the labor force. It describes the development of formal education in 13 South-east European countries. The chapter focuses on local differences caused by infrastructural agents. It discusses the interdependence between local labor market evolution and education. The chapter deals with the increasing divergence between centers and the open land regarding education, growth and employment. In the twenty-first century, the level of development of a country as well as the advancement of a society can be measured best through human resources, knowledge and technological skills. A large part of South-east European countries have made the transition to democratic societies. Their educational systems, highly influenced by the former education system of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, have undergone major reforms to reach European and global standards. Education and training are recognized as the most important tools to achieve a high employment level and to ensure lifelong learning.
