Germany Leads the World in STEM Graduates, New OECD Report Confirms
Berlin (dpa) – Germany is a global leader in producing graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), according to a new report released by the Organisation for economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The annual “Education at a Glance” report reveals that 35% of German bachelor’s degree graduates specialize in STEM fields – the highest percentage of any OECD nation, considerably exceeding the OECD average of 23%.
Presenting the study in Berlin yesterday, German research Minister Dorothee Bär highlighted Germany’s strength in these critical areas, stating that the country is a “highly qualified STEM country and a world champion in the STEM subjects.”
The comprehensive OECD report analyzes education systems across member states and partner countries, examining factors like educational spending, student-teacher ratios, class sizes, and the cost of higher education.
Beyond its strong domestic STEM pipeline, Germany is also increasingly attracting international talent. The report shows a substantial rise in the proportion of foreign students enrolled in German universities, jumping from 7.1% in 2013 to 12.7% in 2023. this figure is nearly double the OECD average of 7.4%. The majority of these international students come from Asia (44%), followed by other European countries (31%).
the findings underscore germany’s growing prominence as a destination for higher education and research, and its continued commitment to fostering expertise in the vital STEM disciplines.
