Education in Leipzig: Student Numbers, Inclusion, and Care in Focus

Education in Leipzig: Student Numbers, Inclusion, and Care in Focus

In the last weeks of the second quarter of 2026, Leipzig recorded significant developments in the educational sector. The city saw a slight increase in student numbers, a higher rate of inclusive schooling, and continued high childcare coverage in after-school programs (Horte) and Supervised Daytime Offers (Betreutes Tagesangebot, BTA). These developments show how dynamic the education system in Leipzig is and on which challenges it remains focused.

Development of Student Numbers

In the school year 2025/26, a total of 63,673 students attend general education schools in Leipzig. This represents an increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Particularly noticeable is the growth in community schools, which increased by 150.7% – a result of the opening of the first municipal community school in the city.

The development, however, is not uniform across all school types. While the number of Gymnasium and secondary schools (Oberschulen) increased by 2.4% and 2.9%, respectively, the number of primary school students decreased by 1.6%. This decline could be due to structural demographic changes or an increasing attractiveness of other school types.

Another factor is the rising number of students with a migration background, which totals 16,657 (26.2%) and marks an increase of 4% compared to the previous year. In addition, the number of Ukrainian students has risen to 1,737, representing an increase of approximately 6% compared to 2024.

Inclusive Education: Progress and Challenges

Inclusive education in Leipzig has continued to evolve. Approximately 3,877 students (6.1% of the total student population) are currently receiving inclusive education – an increase of 8.3% compared to the previous year. This has raised the inclusion rate to 55.8% of all students with special educational needs.

The city regularly informs the municipal council and other committees about the development of inclusive education. This shows how important the topics of inclusion and equal opportunities have become in educational policy. In addition, numerous support centers are in operation, each specialized in different areas of support – from cognitive development through hearing and vision to emotional and social development.

Childcare Offers: Stability and Expansion

In the city's after-school programs (Horte), 22,574 children are cared for – a slight decline compared to the previous year, but still an average childcare rate of 95.2%. In the municipal support centers, 338 children are cared for in Supervised Daytime Offers (BTA), corresponding to a rate of 76%.

Childcare mainly takes place in grades 1 to 6 and is a central part of the city's education and childcare strategy. The administration is tasked with informing the municipal council, district advisory committees, and local councils about current developments in childcare offers to ensure transparency and planning security.

School Locations and Structure

Leipzig offers a wide range of school types and support focuses. In addition to primary and secondary schools, Gymnasiums, and community schools, there are also Waldorf schools, Montessori schools, and international schools such as the Leipzig International School. Many schools have been renamed or have opened new locations in recent years – including the Johanna-Moosdorf School and the School Hauptbahnhof-Westseite.

There have also been changes in the special education school landscape. Schools such as the Johann-Heinrich-Pestalozzi School and the Kurt-Biedermann School continue to provide specialized support. New locations such as the planned Astrid-Lindgren School and the planned Clara-Wieck School are in the planning phase, indicating a long-term strategy for expanding the education offer.

Recent Developments

In February 2026, Leipzig focused on sustainable urban development with projects on climate adaptation, digitalization, and neighborhood work, including the Parkbogen Ost, the development of libraries, and the PV installation at the Park-and-Ride site. The goal is to make the city more climate-resilient, digital, and socially inclusive.

Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities

The developments in Leipzig's education system show that the city is responding to growth and diversity. The increasing numbers of students with a migration background and of students receiving inclusive education require flexible and future-oriented planning. At the same time, the assurance of childcare places and the guarantee of high-quality education remain central issues.

In the future, it will be important to further expand capacities while simultaneously responding to staff shortages and resource constraints. The current statistics and transparency in reporting are essential tools for targeted planning and action.