Germany is facing a growing problem of school dropout rates and lack of skilled workers, according to new statistics. The country currently has over 1.7 million job vacancies, with massive demand in sectors like healthcare, construction, IT and education. However, over half of the 4.8 million unemployed lack vocational qualifications and 25% do not have a high school diploma.
International organizations like the OECD have long criticized Germany for high school dropout rates. In 2022, 12.2% of 18-24 year olds in the EU did not complete school or training, with Germany ranking fourth worst out of 27 countries.
The problem disproportionately affects those with migrant backgrounds. In 2022, 12% of migrant men and 10% of migrant women aged 25 lacked any secondary school diploma, compared to only 3% of native Germans.
Experts blame the rigid tracking of students from an early age and inequality in access to education. The latest PISA scores showed German 15-year-olds performed the worst ever recorded, attributed to pandemic-related school closures and persisting social disparities.
Language barriers, lack of daycare spots and teacher shortages all contribute to disadvantaged students falling behind. There is currently a nationwide deficit of 14,000 teachers, set to rise to 56,000 by 2035.
To address these issues, Germany aims to expand early career guidance from 5th grade. It also aim to increase internship opportunities, and guarantee training even for dropouts starting April 2024. However, long-term investments in education are needed to reduce inequality and equip youth for the labor market.