Germany's teachers: one-third over 50 and 44% work part‑time

The Statistisches Bundesamt reports that in the 2024/2025 school year 752,100 teachers were employed at general education schools in Germany. 44 % of them worked part‑time, the highest share recorded since data collection began in 2009. The part‑time rate is markedly higher for women (51 %) than for men (23 %). Overall, women constitute about 73 % of the teaching staff, far above their share in the broader labour market.

More than a third of teachers (35 %) are aged 50 or older. Regional differences are pronounced: in Saxony‑Anhalt roughly half of all teachers are 50+, and in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern the share is 46.8 %. The lowest proportions are seen in Saarland (28.6 %) and Bremen (30 %). Younger teachers (under 35) account for just one‑fifth of the workforce.

The teacher shortage has led to an increase in “Quer‑ und Seiteneinsteiger” – educators without a recognised teaching qualification – who now represent 11 % of teachers at general schools, up from 4 % a decade ago. Similar trends are observed in vocational schools, where 16.7 % of staff lack formal certification.