German students' math failure rates surge to alarming 23.6% by 2026

Math failure rates among German students have risen sharply in recent years. A new report shows nearly a quarter of pupils now fall below minimum standards for a lower-secondary diploma. Experts point to migration, declining expectations, and reliance on technology as key factors. In 2018, 14.5 percent of ninth-graders nationwide failed to meet basic math requirements. Berlin recorded the highest rate at 24.6 percent, while Bavaria had the lowest at 6.3 percent. By 2026, the overall failure rate had climbed to 23.6 percent.

Regional differences remain stark. Bremen now has the worst performance, with 34.1 percent of students failing. Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia follow closely behind. Bavaria still leads with the lowest rate at 12 percent, with Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony just above at 14.7 percent each.

Since 2012, most German states have seen a steady increase in math failures. Josef Kraus, former head of the German Teachers’ Association, links this trend to migration. Additionally, academic standards have dropped in many areas. Lower Saxony, for example, removed long division from its curriculum. Rising grade averages have also masked these issues, as reduced demands make it easier to achieve higher marks.

The growing use of artificial intelligence has further changed how students approach math. Many now depend on AI tools instead of mental arithmetic to solve problems. The 2026 Education Report confirms that 23.6 percent of students cannot meet basic math requirements. Lower standards and external factors continue to shape educational outcomes. Schools face increasing pressure to address these gaps in proficiency.