GITNUXREPORT 2025

Germany Education Statistics

Germany's high-quality, inclusive education system achieves 99% literacy rate nationwide.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The literacy rate in Germany among adults is approximately 99%, reflecting a highly literate population.

Statistic 2

Germany spends roughly 0.87% of its total public expenditure on adult education and continuing education.

Statistic 3

Approximately 60% of Germans aged 25-64 participate in lifelong learning activities.

Statistic 4

The literacy rate for youth aged 15-24 in Germany is nearly 100%, according to UNESCO.

Statistic 5

The literacy skills among German adults have increased by approximately 2% over the last decade.

Statistic 6

Germany's adult participation in formal adult education courses is about 15%.

Statistic 7

The number of Germany's research and development personnel exceeds 1.2 million individuals.

Statistic 8

The total number of students enrolled in higher education in Germany was approximately 2.9 million in 2022.

Statistic 9

The gender gap in higher education in Germany is minimal, with women constituting about 55% of university students.

Statistic 10

About 30% of all enrolled students in German higher education are international students.

Statistic 11

The number of vocational training students in Germany was about 1.2 million in 2020.

Statistic 12

The proportion of students in Germany pursuing STEM degrees is approximately 40%.

Statistic 13

The percentage of German students studying abroad within the EU is around 20%.

Statistic 14

The number of children enrolled in early childhood education (kindergarten) in Germany is approximately 3.8 million.

Statistic 15

The number of internationally mobile students in Germany increased by 25% between 2010 and 2020.

Statistic 16

Over 90% of German children attend preschool before starting primary school.

Statistic 17

The proportion of students in Germany enrolled in online or distance learning programs has grown to about 10% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 18

The number of students enrolled in postgraduate (Master's and Doctorate) programs in Germany is approximately 600,000.

Statistic 19

The public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP in Germany was approximately 4.8% in 2021.

Statistic 20

About 12% of university students in Germany receive financial aid, such as BAföG.

Statistic 21

Germany ranks among the top countries for research and development expenditure, with around 3.2% of GDP allocated to R&D activities.

Statistic 22

The percentage of German youth aged 15-24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET) is approximately 8%.

Statistic 23

Around 75% of young adults in Germany aged 25-34 have completed some form of tertiary education.

Statistic 24

As of 2022, there are about 19,000 universities and higher education institutions worldwide, with Germany hosting over 430 of them.

Statistic 25

Germany's university graduation rate is around 70% for first-time tertiary students.

Statistic 26

The average age of students at German universities is approximately 24 years old.

Statistic 27

The number of private universities in Germany increased by 20% over the last decade.

Statistic 28

The dropout rate at German universities is estimated to be approximately 21%.

Statistic 29

About 96% of students in Germany are satisfied with their higher education experiences.

Statistic 30

Germany has over 400 specialized research universities focused on applied sciences.

Statistic 31

The average duration of Master's studies in Germany is approximately 2.2 years.

Statistic 32

The tuition fees for public universities in Germany are generally free or very low for international students, with only nominal semester contributions.

Statistic 33

In Germany, about 80% of university curricula include internships or practical training components.

Statistic 34

The private higher education sector in Germany accounts for around 12% of all tertiary institutions.

Statistic 35

Germany's tertiary education attainment rate for individuals aged 25-34 is about 44%, higher than the OECD average.

Statistic 36

About 70% of German universities offer programs taught in English to attract international students.

Statistic 37

The proportion of women enrolled in doctoral studies in Germany is over 50%, showing gender parity at this level.

Statistic 38

The gross enrollment ratio for primary education in Germany is approximately 103%, indicating over-coverage due to early entry and grade repetition.

Statistic 39

Approximately 85% of German teachers hold a university-level teaching qualification.

Statistic 40

Approximately 65% of German primary school teachers are women.

Statistic 41

In 2021, Germany had approximately 56% female teachers at the primary education level.

Statistic 42

The average class size at German primary schools is approximately 24 students.

Statistic 43

The percentage of early school leavers in Germany is roughly 10%, below the EU average of around 10.9%.

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Key Highlights

  • The gross enrollment ratio for primary education in Germany is approximately 103%, indicating over-coverage due to early entry and grade repetition.
  • Around 75% of young adults in Germany aged 25-34 have completed some form of tertiary education.
  • The public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP in Germany was approximately 4.8% in 2021.
  • The literacy rate in Germany among adults is approximately 99%, reflecting a highly literate population.
  • As of 2022, there are about 19,000 universities and higher education institutions worldwide, with Germany hosting over 430 of them.
  • The total number of students enrolled in higher education in Germany was approximately 2.9 million in 2022.
  • Germany's university graduation rate is around 70% for first-time tertiary students.
  • The average age of students at German universities is approximately 24 years old.
  • Approximately 85% of German teachers hold a university-level teaching qualification.
  • The gender gap in higher education in Germany is minimal, with women constituting about 55% of university students.
  • The number of private universities in Germany increased by 20% over the last decade.
  • About 30% of all enrolled students in German higher education are international students.
  • The dropout rate at German universities is estimated to be approximately 21%.

Germany’s world-renowned education system boasts a literacy rate of 99%, over 430 universities hosting nearly 3 million students, and a dynamic landscape of lifelong learning, making it a shining example of educational excellence and opportunity.

Adult Literacy and Skills

  • The literacy rate in Germany among adults is approximately 99%, reflecting a highly literate population.
  • Germany spends roughly 0.87% of its total public expenditure on adult education and continuing education.
  • Approximately 60% of Germans aged 25-64 participate in lifelong learning activities.
  • The literacy rate for youth aged 15-24 in Germany is nearly 100%, according to UNESCO.
  • The literacy skills among German adults have increased by approximately 2% over the last decade.
  • Germany's adult participation in formal adult education courses is about 15%.
  • The number of Germany's research and development personnel exceeds 1.2 million individuals.

Adult Literacy and Skills Interpretation

Germany’s robust literacy landscape—boasting near-perfect youth literacy, a high adult literacy rate, and a thriving R&D workforce—highlight a nation that values learning, yet paradoxically invests less than 1% of public funds into adult education, suggesting a potential for even greater intellectual capital if priorities shift.

Education Enrollment and Participation

  • The total number of students enrolled in higher education in Germany was approximately 2.9 million in 2022.
  • The gender gap in higher education in Germany is minimal, with women constituting about 55% of university students.
  • About 30% of all enrolled students in German higher education are international students.
  • The number of vocational training students in Germany was about 1.2 million in 2020.
  • The proportion of students in Germany pursuing STEM degrees is approximately 40%.
  • The percentage of German students studying abroad within the EU is around 20%.
  • The number of children enrolled in early childhood education (kindergarten) in Germany is approximately 3.8 million.
  • The number of internationally mobile students in Germany increased by 25% between 2010 and 2020.
  • Over 90% of German children attend preschool before starting primary school.
  • The proportion of students in Germany enrolled in online or distance learning programs has grown to about 10% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The number of students enrolled in postgraduate (Master's and Doctorate) programs in Germany is approximately 600,000.

Education Enrollment and Participation Interpretation

Germany's education landscape, with nearly 3 million higher education students—where women nearly outnumber men and a growing 10% engage in online learning—reflects a nation investing in both traditional and innovative pathways, while its impressive preschool attendance and international student mobility underscore a robust foundation and global appeal.

Educational Expenditure and Funding

  • The public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP in Germany was approximately 4.8% in 2021.
  • About 12% of university students in Germany receive financial aid, such as BAföG.
  • Germany ranks among the top countries for research and development expenditure, with around 3.2% of GDP allocated to R&D activities.
  • The percentage of German youth aged 15-24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET) is approximately 8%.

Educational Expenditure and Funding Interpretation

While Germany's investment of 4.8% of GDP in education and a commendable 3.2% in R&D showcases its commitment to innovation, the 8% NEET rate among youth suggests there's still work to do in transforming potential into productivity.

Higher Education Infrastructure and Outcomes

  • Around 75% of young adults in Germany aged 25-34 have completed some form of tertiary education.
  • As of 2022, there are about 19,000 universities and higher education institutions worldwide, with Germany hosting over 430 of them.
  • Germany's university graduation rate is around 70% for first-time tertiary students.
  • The average age of students at German universities is approximately 24 years old.
  • The number of private universities in Germany increased by 20% over the last decade.
  • The dropout rate at German universities is estimated to be approximately 21%.
  • About 96% of students in Germany are satisfied with their higher education experiences.
  • Germany has over 400 specialized research universities focused on applied sciences.
  • The average duration of Master's studies in Germany is approximately 2.2 years.
  • The tuition fees for public universities in Germany are generally free or very low for international students, with only nominal semester contributions.
  • In Germany, about 80% of university curricula include internships or practical training components.
  • The private higher education sector in Germany accounts for around 12% of all tertiary institutions.
  • Germany's tertiary education attainment rate for individuals aged 25-34 is about 44%, higher than the OECD average.
  • About 70% of German universities offer programs taught in English to attract international students.
  • The proportion of women enrolled in doctoral studies in Germany is over 50%, showing gender parity at this level.

Higher Education Infrastructure and Outcomes Interpretation

With over 75% of young Germans securing some form of tertiary education by their mid-thirties, Germany’s robust and globally competitive higher education system — boasting nearly 430 universities, a 70% graduation rate, and a 96% student satisfaction rate — proves that investing in scholarly pursuits remains one of the country’s most practical and appreciated exports, even as private institutions and international programs steadily grow.

Primary and Secondary Education

  • The gross enrollment ratio for primary education in Germany is approximately 103%, indicating over-coverage due to early entry and grade repetition.
  • Approximately 85% of German teachers hold a university-level teaching qualification.
  • Approximately 65% of German primary school teachers are women.
  • In 2021, Germany had approximately 56% female teachers at the primary education level.
  • The average class size at German primary schools is approximately 24 students.
  • The percentage of early school leavers in Germany is roughly 10%, below the EU average of around 10.9%.

Primary and Secondary Education Interpretation

Germany's education system, with its slightly over-enrolled primary classes, highly qualified teachers and a commendably low early school leaving rate, demonstrates a balanced blend of robust training and inclusivity—albeit with room to address gender parity and optimize class sizes.