- Pursuing Degree Completion in North Rhine-Westphalia at an Average Age of Twenty-Four
Individuals in NRW completed their initial degree at an average age of 24 in 2023, as indicated by data gathered by the Statistical Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (IT.NRW). This analysis was conducted based on the approximately 67,000 first degrees conferred that year. This signifies a three-year decrease in the average age of graduates compared to the 1999 benchmark, when the Bologna Reform initiated bachelor's degree programs with reduced study durations. In 2023, nearly 90% of graduates in NRW earned a bachelor's degree as their initial certification, as reported by IT.NRW. Subsequently, a significant number of them pursue advanced studies with a master's degree as their objective.
The decreased average age of graduates could possibly be linked to the introduction of the abridged NRW Abitur (G8) in 2013, the statistical office suggested.
The introduction of the abridged NRW Abitur (G8) in 2013 might have contributed to the decreased average age of high school graduates earning their first degrees. After completing their high school education, many students in NRW directly enrolled in bachelor's degree programs due to the reduced study durations.
