Annually published by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), "Education at a Glance" provides an international perspective on questions of educational policy. The results offer guidance in evaluating the development of Germany's education system and in the further development reform strategies.
Educational participation in Germany continues to increase!
The OECD report certifies Germany's particular success in the area of early childhood education, that is, preschools and kindergartens: in 2010, 96 per cent of four-year-olds were enrolled in such programmes - far more than the OECD average (79 per cent). With three-year-olds, the gap was even greater: 89 per cent of three-year-olds in Germany were enrolled in an early childhood programme; the OECD average was 66 per cent.
In 2010, the educational participation of 15-29 year-olds across all levels of education was above average (Germany: 51 per cent, OECD average: 47 per cent).
The number of higher education entrants reached a record high in 2011 with 517,000 students. The graduation rate in higher education has also continued to improve, more than doubling from 14 per cent in 1995 to 30 per cent in 2010.
Education is worth it for everyone!
The OECD report proves: the higher the level of education, the higher the income, greater the social gain, and the lower the risk of unemployment.
In the crisis years between 2008 and 2010, Germany was the only OECD country in which unemployment across all levels of education did not increase, but rather decreased.
Education is the top priority!
According to OECD criteria, German investment in education has increased from 4.9 per cent of GDP (Gross domestic product) in 2000 to 5.3 per cent in 2009. According to national calculation, educational funding in 2009 amounted to 6.9 per cent of the GDP.
The increase in per-student expenditure in Germany was, just as last year, above average.