Every year, an OECD study compares the education systems of industrialized countries. As always, there are both positive and negative findings for Germany.
According to an OECD study, Germany has invested significantly more in daycare centers and early childhood education in recent years than other industrialized countries. As the annual OECD report “Education at a Glance” shows, the public funds provided for this increased by 42 percent in relation to gross domestic product between 2015 and 2021. In the OECD area as a whole, there was an increase of 9 percent.
The report stresses the importance of early childhood education. It helps to close developmental gaps before children start school and is “therefore a key tool for mitigating the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage.” Family background continues to have a strong influence on educational outcomes.
The annual study contains a comprehensive collection of data on the education systems of the 38 member states of the OECD and other partner countries. It shows, for example, how much money each country spends on education, what the student-teacher ratio is in educational institutions, how big classes and schools are, how high the costs of studying are, and what success rates there are in each educational area. As always, there are positive and negative findings for Germany:
Germany spends an average of around 15,550 euros per year per student from school to university. The OECD average is the equivalent of 12,870 euros. Germany provides 4.6 percent of its gross domestic product for its educational institutions, making it one of the OECD countries whose education spending has increased since 2015. However, the figure is below the OECD average of 4.9 percent of GDP. At 142 euros per year, tuition fees in Germany are at the lower end of the spectrum of OECD countries for which data is available. The proportion of young adults with a university degree is increasing. The trend is particularly pronounced among women: 40 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds have at least a bachelor’s degree, almost twice as many as in the 55- to 64-year-old generation. In many OECD countries, the proportion of young adults (25 to 34) who do not have a higher school qualification is falling – but not in Germany. The proportion of 25- to 34-year-olds without a university entrance qualification or completed vocational training is 16 percent (OECD average 14 percent). In most OECD member countries, the proportion of 18- to 24-year-olds who neither have a job nor attend an educational or training institution is declining. In Germany, it is 9.6 percent, well below the OECD average (13.8 percent).
The OECD is made up of 38 industrialized and more developed countries. The organization regularly produces analyses and studies, such as the PISA study, and makes policy recommendations. According to the organization, the member states are committed to the market economy and democracy.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
