Germany confronts significant shortage of approximately 1,300 school principals, exacerbating the issue further

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the importance of school leadership cannot be overstated. From filling leadership positions in the student body to ensuring staff satisfaction and fostering a thriving school community, effective leadership plays a crucial role.

Recent data from a survey conducted by RND from June 24 to July 31, 2025, sheds light on the current state of school leadership in Germany. The survey considered general schools (primary, secondary, comprehensive, grammar, and vocational) in all 16 federal states.

The survey reveals that out of a total of 25,758 school principal positions in Germany, approximately 1,270 remain unfilled. This equates to an overall rate of just under five percent.

When comparing the states, Bremen emerges as a shining example, with only 7 out of 155 school principal positions remaining vacant. Conversely, North Rhine-Westphalia grapples with the highest percentage of unfilled positions, at 8.7%, followed closely by Thuringia at 8.8%. Bavaria, on the other hand, boasts the fewest percentage of unfilled positions, at about 1%.

The filling of school leadership positions is a continuous process, involving several procedural steps. However, the specific reasons for the high number of vacancies in North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia are not explicitly covered in the available sources. A related regional issue noted is the lowered qualification requirements and reduced attractiveness of leadership roles such as city mayors in North Rhine-Westphalia, reflecting a broader trend of insufficient qualification standards and resulting difficulties in filling leadership positions. This context suggests that similar qualification and recruitment challenges may contribute to school director vacancies in the education sector in these regions.

It's worth noting that some ministries provided figures for public schools, while others included schools in public and private ownership. Unfortunately, figures for unfilled school principal positions in Hamburg were not available, as the occupancy data would only be determined in September.

Despite the vacancies, it's important to note that no school in Germany is completely without leadership. Management of schools with unfilled positions is ensured by commissioned teaching staff, deputy school leadership, or the leadership of another school.

The survey results were snapshots, representing the situation at a specific point in time. The Ministry of Education in Saxony-Anhalt, among others, emphasizes the importance of addressing these leadership vacancies to ensure the overall health and success of the school community.

Germany confronts significant shortage of approximately 1,300 school principals, exacerbating the issue further