Germany strong in MINT – but educational inequality is growing!

Germany strong in MINT – but educational inequality is growing!

In a comprehensive analysis of the German education system, the current OECD study “Education at a Glance 2025” highlights the strengths and weaknesses of universities in Germany. This study shows that German universities are doing well internationally and that the MINT subjects - i.e. mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology - are particularly popular. The Tagesschau also reports that the proportion of university, technical college or vocational college degrees has increased from 33% to 40% in recent years.

Dangerous gap in educational attainment

Despite these positive developments, the results also clearly show that there are problems. The report warns of an increasing number of young people without school or vocational training. Of particular concern is the growing gap between upper and lower levels of education, particularly among 25- to 34-year-olds. In this age group, 15% had no technical college entrance qualification or vocational training in 2024 - two percentage points more than in 2019. In an EU comparison, Germany only achieves better values ​​than Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Education and Research Minister Dorothee Bär emphasizes that family background has a significant influence on educational opportunities. Children of parents without a degree have lower chances of obtaining a college degree. These social inequalities need to be urgently addressed, as 25-64 year olds with a college degree earn, on average, 50% more than their counterparts without a higher degree.

Challenges and measures

The OECD report also addresses the challenges that the German education sector must overcome. Too many low-skilled adults and deficits in basic skills are the focus. The situation is particularly difficult in early childhood education, where social inequalities are particularly pronounced. To meet these challenges, fundamental political measures are needed.

As part of the planned measures, the aim is, among other things, to reform the BAföG, further develop the MINT action plan and implement the high-tech agenda for Germany in order to promote vocational training and strengthen transitions from school to training. Parliamentary State Secretary Mareike Wulf reports on an initiative that aims to expand post-qualification educational pathways.

International students and Germany’s competitiveness

A positive chapter in the study is the increase in international students in Germany. The proportion of foreign students rose from 7.1% in 2013 to 12.7% in 2023. Current figures show a presence of more than 492,600 international students in Germany in the winter semester of 2024/2025, which corresponds to 17% of the total 2.87 million students. Germany therefore plays a leading role among non-English-speaking countries and is in fourth place behind the USA, Great Britain and Australia, which proves the attractiveness of German universities.

In summary, the OECD study can confirm positive developments in the German education system in many areas, but at the same time highlights important challenges that still need to be overcome. The education system is faced with the task of both reducing social inequality and further improving the quality and availability of educational offerings. Further information about the study and current developments can be found on the website daily news as well as the KMK be retrieved.