The transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe have undergone substantial changes due, in part, to vocational education and training (VET). One of the most important objectives of the European Union (EU) enlargement process is to monitor key indicators of the educational systems and labor markets so that the different skills in demand and the many economic sectors function within a common EU framework. (Country profiles of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia give background information and key statistics for interpreting comparisons subsequently presented.) Participation rates in secondary education in almost all the Central and European countries remain high for 16 year olds, and although an increasing number of young people are studying until the age of 20 to acquire either a general or vocational qualification at upper secondary level, participation starts to fall off after the end of compulsory education. Analysis of Labor Force Surveys (LFS) has shown that labor force activity rates rise with increasing levels of education. Further comparative analysis with reliable and relevant information of good quality would be helpful, and the provision of data remains one of the most important objectives for the key indicators project. (Annexes include general notes, definitions, cross-references, and data. Contains 24 figures, 18 tables, and 8 references.) (MO)