Germany has a higher number of individuals possessing university degrees compared to those who don't hold a degree.

Higher Education Landscape in Germany Features Both Graduates and Non-Graduates

In Germany, a second education boom has taken place in recent years, leading to a significant increase in the number of university graduates. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), last year around 40 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds in Germany held a tertiary degree, a figure that remains below the OECD average of 48 percent for all member countries.

The proportion of young adults without a secondary education degree in Germany has risen from 13 to 15 percent, which the OECD finds particularly concerning. Among the 22 OECD countries in the EU, only Italy, Portugal, and Spain have a higher proportion of young adults without a secondary education degree.

While the unemployment rate differs little between university graduates and those with a secondary education, the salaries of these graduates can significantly vary. Graduates in MINT subjects (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, and Technology) earn an average of 50 percent more than those with a secondary education. In fact, particularly lucrative are degrees in MINT subjects, whose graduates earn around ten percent more than other university graduates.

The growing skills shortage in Germany, particularly in MINT professions, is a relevant topic related to this article. However, it is not directly addressed in the current paragraph.

A university degree generally enables a higher income, more stable employment, and better health, according to the OECD. Furthermore, a high-quality university education equips students with the necessary skills to take advantage of the opportunities presented by changing labor markets. This is highlighted by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, who emphasizes that a high-quality university education enables societies to cope with the structural changes brought about by population aging, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and ecological transformation.

However, social origin remains a key factor in educational attainment in Germany. Only about one in five young adults from educationally disadvantaged households completes a university degree. The differences in reading and math skills between university graduates and those without a secondary education are the highest internationally, further highlighting the educational disparities in the country.

Interestingly, the salaries of academics in MINT professions are not mentioned in the current paragraph but were previously stated as a relevant fact related to the topic of the article. On the other hand, the salaries of teachers remain behind those of other academically educated professions, according to the OECD.

The OECD invests above-average amounts in education per student, around $17,960 annually, but the education expenditure as a percentage of GDP is below the OECD average at 4.4 percent. This suggests a potential imbalance in the allocation of resources for education in Germany.

In conclusion, while Germany has seen a rise in the number of university graduates, the growing gap in educational attainment and the resulting disparities in income and skills are issues of concern for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.