Germany Sees Rise in Young People Outside Employment and Vocational Education

After finishing school, a growing number of young people in Germany are failing to enter the labour market and are not pursuing education or vocational training.

Data from the Federal Statistical Office show that around 10 per cent of people aged 20 to 24 were in this situation in 2025. In 2022, the figure for this age group was 8.8 per cent. According to experts, this is a worrying trend because it makes it harder for young people to secure their professional future and could lead to a shortage of skilled workers in the German economy.

The National Education Report estimates that around one quarter of young people in this category are looking for work. The vast majority, however, are not available to the labour market. Family caregiving responsibilities and health concerns are among the main reasons.

Bettina Kohlrausch, scientific director of the Institute for Economic and Social Research, is calling for more high-quality vocational training opportunities, as well as broader support for young people. According to her, this would help them successfully complete their training and transition more easily into the labour market.

Compared with other European Union countries, Germany continues to be in a more favourable position. The EU average for those aged 20 to 24 stands at 12.9 per cent. The Netherlands, Sweden and the Czech Republic have the lowest rates, while Romania, Bulgaria and France have the highest figures.

In Germany, girls and young women are affected somewhat more than males of the same age. Young people living in large cities are also more likely to remain outside employment, education and vocational training than those in rural areas.