Germany school leavers without qualifications hit 20-year high

The number of students in Germany leaving school without a qualification has reached its highest level in over 20 years. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, approximately 65,000 youths left school without a degree in the 2024/2025 school year, up from 56,000 the previous year and 47,400 a decade ago.

The proportion of school leavers without at least a basic secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) rose to 8.4 percent. This trend follows a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was attributed to eased examination regulations that have since been rescinded.

Federal Education Minister Karin Prien highlighted early childhood education as a critical factor, noting that new legislation aims to introduce language, mathematical, and social skill testing in daycare centers for four-year-olds. Meanwhile, political figures such as Sahra Wagenknecht have criticized the trend, describing it as a state-organized shortage of skilled labor.

In response to these figures, the Federal Ministry of Education pointed to existing measures like the 'Startchancen-Programm,' which provides additional funding to schools serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with learning difficulties.