The Abitur as a school leaving certificate is more common among younger people in Bavaria than among older people – but the proportion of self-employed people is higher among the latter. Last year, 36 percent of the population with a general school leaving certificate had an elementary, secondary or secondary school certificate, as the State Statistical Office in Fürth announced on Tuesday, citing the data from the 2022 microcensus.
36 percent also had a university or technical college entrance qualification. 27 percent had a secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification. According to 2022 data, four percent of the population over the age of 15 did not have a general school leaving certificate. Three percent were still in school.
When it comes to school education, statistics show clear differences between age groups. “For example, 52 percent of today’s 25 to 35-year-olds left school with a university or technical college entrance qualification, whereas this proportion of older people aged 65 and over is 20 percent. In this age group, the primary school leaving certificate (today: middle school leaving certificate) is 57 percent the most common general school leaving certificate,” explained the statisticians.
With regard to vocational qualifications, 25 to 35 year olds are significantly more likely to have an academic qualification (40 percent) than people over 65 (19 percent). Overall, 58 percent of Bavarians can demonstrate an apprenticeship or vocational training. But the proportion has decreased significantly over time. While it is 68 percent among people over 65, it is 44 percent among 25 to 35 year olds.
Once they have entered the labor market, 91 percent of those employed in Bavaria are employed and nine percent are self-employed. The proportion of self-employed people increases continuously with increasing age and the associated professional experience.