German universities and higher schools clearly lack students and, logically, graduates. This is despite the fact that overall the number of students in Germany has increased by 5% over the last ten years. In most industrialized countries, this figure is incomparably higher – 41%. Moreover, many students at German universities drop out without obtaining a degree. The situation with engineers is particularly disheartening: for every 1,000 university graduates, there are only 32 engineers (in most European countries this ratio is significantly higher – 44). This means that the country is unable to ensure a worthy replacement for those who are retiring. There is a catastrophic shortage of young engineers, as well as teachers.
Whether a young person will attend lectures at a German university still depends not so much on themselves as on the educational level and income of their parents. In Ireland, for example, parents' diplomas have no influence on the younger generation's decision to study. However, among German students, the majority are children whose parents have higher education. Naturally, this situation is also influenced by the artificial selection of children after primary school. Capable children are sent to Gymnasium, while less capable ones go to Realschule and Hauptschule, from which the path to university is extremely thorny. Moreover, the children who end up in these schools are far from the dumbest. It's just that their parents usually work too much and cannot devote enough attention to their offspring.
Those who dream of earning a lot should think about a good education from a young age. After all, graduates of German universities (naturally, those employed in their field) earn significantly more than all other citizens. In 2005, the income of young people with degrees was 56% higher than those who graduated from Gymnasium, Realschule, or received vocational training. In 1997, the difference was not as significant – only 33%.
Those who have no education at all are the most vulnerable in the labor market. Over the past 15 years, the number of unskilled unemployed has almost tripled. After Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, this is the highest share of unemployed in developed countries of Europe and America.
Of course, there are positive aspects in the German education system. For example, the number of candidates and doctors of sciences who have defended their dissertations in Germany is very high. In addition, German universities are very popular among foreign students. In this indicator, Germany ranks third after the USA and Great Britain.
And yet this is a drop in the ocean, some politicians believe. Thus, the leaders of the Green faction called the annual report of the OECD a 'resounding slap' to the federal and state governments of the country. There are too few university graduates in Germany to provide the country with the necessary professional personnel. The lack of places in dormitories and in universities themselves, as well as the complex bureaucratic procedure for obtaining scholarships, do not increase the popularity of higher education within the country.