Number of the month 19
Almost one in five young adults aged between 20 and 34 in Germany do not have a vocational qualification: in 2023, the figure stood at 19.0 per cent.
This is shown in the data report accompanying the Vocational Training Report published by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), based on the microcensus. By way of comparison: in 2020, the proportion stood at 15.5 per cent; in 2021, it was 17.8 per cent; and by 2022, it had already reached 19.1 per cent. The rise seen in recent years has thus levelled off at a high level.
What is behind this trend?
The Covid years have taken their toll: work placements were cancelled, careers guidance in schools was put on hold, and companies offering apprenticeships pulled back – and for many young people, the transition from school to work became more precarious. Young people without a school-leaving qualification are particularly affected: more than three-quarters of them (77.5 per cent) go on to complete no vocational qualification either. By contrast, the figure for young people with university entrance qualifications is just 7.9 per cent. A school-leaving qualification therefore plays a decisive role in determining one’s prospects during this transition.
What does this mean for schools and the world of work?
The transition between these two worlds requires more attention, more support and more effective learning environments – both in schools and in the workplace. After all, those who fall behind early on find it very difficult to catch up. And, given the shortage of skilled workers, the economy cannot afford to lose anyone.
Source:
BIBB-Datenreport zum Berufsbildungsbericht 2025