In Germany, in contrast to other OECD countries, there are more and more young people without a high school diploma or comparable qualification. Last year, the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds without a qualification in the so-called upper secondary level was 16 percent, three percentage points higher than in 2015, as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced on Tuesday.
In addition to Germany, this value has only increased by one point in the Czech Republic. This has to do with challenges that are more pronounced in Germany than elsewhere, such as high levels of migration and a shortage of teachers, said the head of the OECD Berlin Center, Nicola Brandt. “The result shows that political action is really required here.” The support must begin in the youngest years of life in order to prevent young people from falling behind.
Investments in education in Germany are the equivalent of around 14,700 euros per person, almost 3,000 euros above the OECD average. Nevertheless, spending, measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), was 4.6 percent, around 0.5 points lower than the OECD average. Relatively little money is spent on education, especially during elementary school and primary school.
“Almost one in six young adults does not have the minimum qualifications necessary for successful labor market integration and social participation,” said Jens Brandenburg, State Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Research. “That’s why a turnaround in educational policy is urgently needed.” Around 4,000 schools with a high proportion of socially disadvantaged young people are to become so-called start-up schools.
In addition, fewer and fewer young people are completing vocational training. In 2022, their share was 38 percent, a decrease of 13 points compared to 2015. This is the largest decline in the OECD industrialized countries. The numbers have an impact on the labor market. In Germany, 94 percent of vocationally trained people find a job within two years, which is the highest figure of all OECD countries. In addition, this group earns on average 67 percent more than people with a lower level of education.
“There are currently over 31,000 open training places in the skilled trades, which means thousands of unused educational and career opportunities for young people,” said Holger Schwannecke, Secretary General of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH). The OECD study must therefore be an urgent reason for the federal and state governments to strengthen vocational training and give priority to filling the training positions that are still open.
At the same time, the number of young people with a college, university or master’s degree increased. Around 37 percent of 25 to 34 year olds had a so-called tertiary qualification. That was an increase of seven points.