Bremen's students are failing: last place in the 2024 education trend!

Bremen's students are failing: last place in the 2024 education trend!

In an alarming conclusion, the IQB education trend 2024 has shown Bremen ninth graders to be the weakest in the state. With an average of just 436 points in mathematics, they take last place compared to other federal states. This is a decrease of almost 40 points compared to the national average of 474 points, which further increases concerns about the quality of education in Bremen. The results were presented at a press conference on October 16, 2025 and are the result of a broad survey in which 50,000 students from more than 1,500 schools were tested, including 2,234 Bremen students from 60 schools [t-online.de].

The problems are not just limited to Bremen. The overall national average shows a downward trend in mathematics and the natural sciences. In the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics, Bremen students achieve 443, 438 and 439 points, and here too many fail to meet the minimum standard required for the intermediate school leaving certificate (MSA).

The challenges facing Bremen students

Particular attention is paid to the immigration background of Bremen's students, which affects more than half of them. Since 2018, this share has increased by almost 12 percentage points. These demographic changes pose enormous challenges to the education system, which are reflected in poor results. The causes are diverse and range from the consequences of the corona pandemic, which affected many students in their early days at secondary schools, to social pressures such as fears due to wars, economic worries and the climate crisis.

As tagesschau.de explains in detail, psychological stress has also increased, especially among girls. There has been a consistent decline in enthusiasm for MINT subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology), which applies not only in Bremen but in all federal states. Researchers attribute this in part to increased use of social media, which has a negative impact on concentration and mental health.

The nationwide situation

The figures show that around a quarter of students do not meet the minimum standard for the MSA in mathematics and chemistry. For example, 24 percent fail in mathematics, 25 percent in chemistry and 10 percent in biology. Even in physics, only 16 percent of students pass the MSA, as shown in the report by iqb.hu-berlin.de. This development affects all 16 federal states, with Bremen, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland taking the lower places.

The federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony, on the other hand, score above average. The impression that student performance has been steadily declining since 2018 cannot be overlooked. While the results were previously stable, targeted support programs are now required to strengthen the motivation and self-confidence of young people and to further develop teacher training.

The alarming results of the IQB education trend 2024 are a clear reminder to everyone involved in the education system. The challenges are great and it is to be hoped that appropriate measures will soon be taken to better prepare students for their future in an increasingly complex world.