Increase in nursing trainees for 2024: Count boasts a 9% hike
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Germany faced a significant nursing staff shortage in 2024, with an estimated need for about 500,000 nurses by 2030. Despite this high demand, there were still around 229,000 unfilled training positions across various fields, including nursing, as of mid-2025.
In an effort to address this shortage, 59,400 people started vocational training as nursing professionals in 2024, marking a nine percent increase compared to the previous year. The majority of these trainees (around three quarters) were women, with around a quarter being men. The average age of the trainees who started in 2024 was 24 years.
The training framework for nursing professionals in Germany follows the dual vocational education system, regulated under the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). This system combines practical training at a training company with school-based education. Since 2019, apprentices have been entitled to a minimum wage for their contracts.
To address the workforce shortage, Germany also actively processes recognition applications for nursing qualifications obtained abroad. In 2024, there were no specific statistics available with detailed breakdowns by specialization, age, and gender. However, it is known that most applications came from non-EU/EEA countries.
Nursing in Germany remains a predominantly female profession, with many nurses working part-time, reflecting traditional gender roles and employment patterns in healthcare. To attract more nursing professionals, Germany runs international recruitment programs like the Triple Win Programme, aimed at bringing qualified nurses from countries such as India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In 2024, 30,300 nursing trainees completed their practical training in hospitals, while 6,700 completed their training in outpatient care facilities. A total of 37,400 people completed their training as nursing professionals that year. The majority of graduates (99%) chose the generalist professional title, with only around one percent obtaining a qualification with a focus on health and children's nursing or elderly care.
Trainees started their vocational training with various carriers in 2024. Around 26,100 started with a non-profit carrier, while 17,000 started with a private carrier. A total of 21,000 nursing trainees completed their practical training in stationary care facilities that year.
Sources: - German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) - The Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesgesundheitsministerium) - German nursing associations or vocational training monitoring agencies - The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)
Science plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of health and wellness, which is directly linked to the nursing profession. As such, education and self-development are essential components for nursing trainees, providing them with the knowledge they need to excel in their field and contribute to addressing Germany's nursing staff shortage. For instance, the growing number of nursing trainees indicates a commitment to lifelong learning, as evident in the increase of trainees who started vocational training in 2024 compared to the previous year.
