In 2025, 186,100 individuals utilized funding provided under the Advanced Vocational Training Law (“Aufstiegs-BAföG”) in Germany. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Monday, this number saw a slight decrease compared to the previous year, falling by 3,600 beneficiaries, or 1.9 percent.
The total amount of funding approved through the “Aufstiegs-BAföG” in 2025 reached 1.1 billion euros, marking a 1.9 percent increase from the previous year. This program financially supports participants taking courses aimed at advanced vocational qualifications.
Funding is provided through a combination of grants and loans. In 2025, beneficiaries averaged a grant of 5,200 euros, which was 100 euros more than the previous year. Furthermore, average loan amounts stood at 1,800 euros per person, also 100 euros higher than the year before. These funds can cover various costs, including course and examination fees, living expenses, childcare, and materials necessary for master qualification projects.
Professionally, certified educators remained the most frequently supported field in 2025, with 52,000 beneficiaries. This group accounted for slightly more than a quarter of all recipients (28 percent). Despite its prominence, the number of supported educators decreased by 3,200 cases (6 percent) compared to the prior year. Following educators, the most supported professions were Industrial Master Metal (9,600 beneficiaries) and Business Specialist (9,100 beneficiaries).
The Advanced Vocational Training Law was introduced 30 years ago, and the first complete report covered the year 1997. Since then, the number of recipients has risen dramatically: 49,300 people were supported in 1997, while that figure reached 186,100 in 2025-a 3.8-fold increase. The highest number of beneficiaries to date was recorded in 2022, with 192,400 individuals supported.
In terms of demographics, there has been a steady increase in female participation over time. While only 17 percent of recipients were female in 1997, this percentage rose to 42 percent in 2025. The highest proportion of women supported occurred in 2022 and 2023, reaching 44 percent.
