Elementary

Overview

Information on key aspects of a country’s education system, including governance, instructional language, and other structural features defined by national or regional regulations.

Ministry Responsible

Federal system, State-level ministries of education

Language of Instruction

German

Duration

4 years (ages 6 to 10) (6-year models also exist)

Grades 1 to 4 (compulsory)

Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment in a specific level of education, regardless of age.

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Gross Enrollment Ratio

Total enrollment in a specific level of education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the eligible official school-age population corresponding to the same level of education in a given school year.

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

International Benchmarks

TIMSS 2023 Mathematics Grade 4

Germany

524

Global Rank

21 of 58

International Average

503

Source: Boston College, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center

TIMSS 2023 Science Grade 4

Germany

515

Global Rank

28 of 58

International Average

494

Source: Boston College, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center

PIRLS 2021 Reading Grade 4

Germany

524

Global Rank

26 of 57

PIRLS Scale Centerpoint

500

Source: Boston College, TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center

Elementary Mathematics: Percentage of Proficient Students

Proportion of students at the end of elementary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in mathematics.

Germany

74.9% (2023)

Global Rank

22 of 129

High Income Countries Average

72.0% (2019)

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Elementary Reading: Percentage of Proficient Students

Proportion of students at the end of elementary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading.

Germany

93.6% (2021)

Global Rank

27 of 123

High Income Countries Average

92.8% (2019)

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics