As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) based on final results, approximately 63,900 trainees concluded new training contracts to become professional nurses in 2025. This marks the third consecutive year where more individuals began nursing training than the preceding year (52,100 in 2022, 54,400 in 2023, and 59,400 in 2024). These figures refer to individuals who had a new contract and were still in training as of December 31, 2025. The total number of trainees stood near 157,200 at the end of 2025, representing a seven percent increase from the previous year.
In 2025, around 35,300 people successfully completed their training as professional nurses. Notably, only a small percentage of these graduates chose a specialized focus; less than 1.2 percent of those finishing the generalized nursing training nationwide pursued a qualification in health and pediatric nursing or elderly care.
When looking at demographics among new trainees, 71 percent were women (45,500), while 29 percent were men (18,500). However, the proportion of men has been steadily growing since the introduction of the new training format. In 2020, the male share of new contracts was 24 percent (13,000), rising to around 29 percent in 2025.
The number of nursing trainees between the ages of 22 and 29 who signed new contracts has also increased consistently since 2020. This segment grew from roughly 24 percent (12,900) in 2020 to 31 percent (19,700) in 2025. Nevertheless, the majority of new entrants remain younger, with individuals aged 21 or younger making up 51 percent (32,700) of all new contracts. While this proportion saw a slight decrease compared to 2020 (when it was 59 percent), those aged 30 or older account for about 18 percent, a rate that has remained nearly unchanged since 2020 (17 percent). The average age of all new nursing trainees in 2025 is 24 years.
Separately, the officially funded and salaried nursing degree program saw an eight percent increase in new students in 2025 compared to the previous year, with nearly 800 students starting the program. By year-end, 1,800 students were enrolled in the nursing degree program regulated by the Nursing Profession Act. Successfully completing this study qualifies graduates as professional nurses and allows them to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. The proportion of women enrolling in the studied program is even higher, at 78 percent.
For both the apprenticeship and the academic study, the practical component is carried out in cooperation with a designated training provider. For students in the academic nursing degree, the hospital remains the dominant provider of practical experience, with 92 percent of students placing their studies in a hospital setting. Only five percent of new nursing students began in a stationary care facility, while three percent started in an outpatient facility. Similarly, approximately half of the trainees who signed new contracts utilize the hospital for the practical portion of their apprenticeship. The remaining new trainees are divided between stationary care facilities (36 percent) and outpatient facilities (12 percent), according to the Federal Office.
