most yearolds in germany have attained a vocational qualification at either upper secondary or postsecondary level the fourth largest proportion among countries with available data the oecd average is due to the high incidence of vocational qualifications and the fact that a general degree mostly abitur is dedicated to further education and not to direct entry in the labour market only of adults attain a general upper secondary or postsecondary qualification as highest degree one of the smallest proportions among oecd countries the oecd average is table al between and unemployment rates decreased by percentage points among adults without upper secondary education from to by percentage points among those with an upper secondary or postsecondary nontertiary education from to and by percentage points among those with a tertiary qualification from to