Decentralized School System and Education Expenditure in Germany

🏫 Germany has around 8.4 million students and 33,500 schools, with the school system being regulated by the individual federal state ministers of education.

📚 The basic structure of the education system in Germany includes four years of elementary school, followed by a choice between attending a gymnasium or a secondary school for six years. After that, students can pursue vocational training through a dual system.

🎓 After eight years, students from the gymnasium can take the Abitur exam, which grants them the eligibility to study at a university.

📚 Germany's education spending is relatively low compared to other countries, only accounting for 4.3% of its GDP.

🌍 In comparison, Portugal spends 5.8% and Norway spends 6.1% of their GDP on education.

📊 Germany ranks in the lower third among OECD countries in terms of education spending.