Facing the challenge of demographic change

The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic (KMK) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) meet the challenge of the demographic change.

KMK and BMBF presented a report about education in Germany in 2010 by independent experts. The report shows the perspectives of the German education system in relation to demographic change and which modernisation endeavours have to be made. The German Federal Government aims at spending 10 per cent of the gross domestic product for education and research in 2015. In the current legislative period the government invests 6 billion euros in education.

According to the report, the demographic change in Germany will have profound consequences for the education sector. There will be a dramatic ageing of society: the number of persons who are 65 years and older will increase by 21 per cent until 2025. The number of persons under 30 years will decrease by 16,4 per cent in the same period. The number of pupils, students and trainees will decrease by 15 per cent.

The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce report more than 30,000 vacancies for trainees - considerably more than in 2009. DIHK president Hans Heinricht Driftmann said, "There are two reasons for the extremely high demand: the decreasing number of applicants as a consequence of the demographic change and the current economic upturn."

The demographic change challenges the German economy and society. The educations system has to make a major effort to solve the issue. Education and training will have to be lifelong responsibilities. In order to meet the demand for qualified workers, further education offers and qualification opportunities will habe to be developed on all levels.

Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Helge Braun says, "The new education report clearly indicates that the potentials of all children and young people will have to be realised. The Federal Government will, therefore, invest 3 billion euros in measures for more educational equality. That includes education alliances on a local basis and education pilots to leverage the transition from school to professional training."