A recent publication by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), "International Education Indicators in a Country Comparison," sheds light on key trends in German education in 2024. The data reveals Germany's strength in STEM fields, a growing trend of women pursuing tertiary education, and a continuous increase in the number of international students.
In 2024, a significant portion of highly-qualified individuals in Germany, about one in three, or 34%, held a degree in a STEM-related field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This figure places Germany well above the OECD average of 26%, giving it the highest share among all 38 OECD countries. This high concentration of STEM graduates highlights Germany's focus on technical and scientific education.
Across Germany's federal states, the proportion of STEM degrees among highly qualified individuals varied. Berlin had the lowest share at 26%, while Baden-Württemberg boasted the highest at 39%. A "highly-qualified individual" is defined by the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) as someone with a tertiary degree, which in Germany includes all university degrees as well as advanced vocational qualifications like master craftsman, technician, or early childhood educator certifications.
Despite Germany's strong performance in STEM overall, a clear gender gap persists in new enrollments. Only just over a fifth (22%) of women who started a tertiary education program in 2024 chose a STEM subject, in stark contrast to more than half (52%) of men. These differences are also reflected in the overall number of tertiary degrees: while nearly one in seven (15%) women with a tertiary degree holds a STEM qualification, more than half (52%) of men do.
In 2024, roughly one-third (34%) of the total German population held a tertiary degree, which is below the OECD average of 41%. However, there were notable regional differences within the country. Berlin had the highest percentage with 46%, followed by Hamburg at 42%, both exceeding the OECD average. The lowest rates were found in Saxony-Anhalt (25%) and Saarland (27%).
A generational analysis shows a clear trend: younger individuals are more likely to have a tertiary degree than older generations. Among those aged 25 to 34, 40% had a tertiary qualification, compared to only 29% of those aged 55 to 64. This trend is also reflected in the shifting gender balance across age groups. Among the 55-64 age group, the share of women with a tertiary degree was 24%, 10 percentage points lower than for men (34%). In the 25-34 age group, however, the share of women with a tertiary degree reached 42%, surpassing that of men at 37%.
The number of international students in Germany has consistently grown over recent years. Their share of the total student body rose from 8% in 2016 to 10% in 2019, and reached 13% in 2023. This is significantly higher than the OECD average of 8% in 2023. Berlin and Brandenburg led the way with the highest percentages of international students at 21% and 19%, respectively, while Schleswig-Holstein (6%) and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (7%) had the lowest.
Of the international students in Germany, 68% came from non-OECD countries. The largest groups were from India (10%) and China (8%). Among students from OECD countries, Austrians and Turks were the most represented, each accounting for 4% of the total international student population. These findings highlight significant developments in Germany's education landscape, from its competitive edge in STEM fields to the changing demographics of its student body, offering valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions.
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