Number of users of the Upgrading-Bafög decreased
The number of people who used the Upwards-Bafög for vocational training decreased by 1.2 percent in the previous year. In 2023, 190,100 people received this funding, according to the Federal Statistical Office. At the same time, the funding amount increased to 1.06 billion Euro. The previous year saw a decrease of 3.6 percent.
Through this support, 84,000 women and 106,100 men were assisted in the previous year. Sixty-three percent of them underwent full-time training, while 37 percent underwent part-time training. Approximately the same number of men and women opted for full-time training, but more men than women chose part-time training.
The low proportion of women among the overall funded individuals could be related to the fact that in many of the funded occupations, fewer women work. This includes the field of electrical technology, for example.
The Upwards-Bafög is used primarily by people at the start of their careers. The highest percentage, at 67 percent, was from the age group of 20- to 30-year-olds. The group between 30 and 40 years old was in second place. Depending on the type of participation, the duration of the training in full-time mode was most frequently between 21 and 24 months, and between 24 and 30 months in part-time mode. Seventy-seven percent of those who underwent full-time training did not receive any income. The income of an additional 17 percent was below 5,000 Euro per year.
Among the funded professions with the most frequent trainings, state-recognized childcare workers were once again in first place. Their number increased by two percent compared to 2022, reaching 56,800 people. In second place were industrial masters and mistresses of metal, followed by certified business economists and business economists. In technically oriented training occupations, the male proportion was high. For example, 92 percent of those who received a funded training in machine building technology were men. The proportion of women among those receiving funded training for state-recognized childcare workers was 82 percent.
The decrease in the number of Users receiving the funding amount for Upwards-Bafög in full-time training was only 0.6% compared to the decrease in overall users, indicating potential advancement in this area. In 2024, the German government aims to increase the funding amount for Upwards-Bafög to support a larger number of Users.
