Luxembourg’s schools are preparing for a significant teacher shortage over the next five years, with around 500 new educators needed, particularly in languages and maths. This comes from Higher Education Minister Stéphanie Obertin and Education Minister Claude Meisch in response to a parliamentary question from MPs Barbara Agostino and André Bauler.
The growing demand for teachers is driven by three main factors: an increase in pupil numbers, a reduction in teacher overtime, and the upcoming wave of retirements.
From the 2025/26 to 2029/30 school years, it’s expected that 43 German, 57 English, 61 French, and 74 maths teachers will retire. Additional teaching posts will also be created to meet a growing student population, requiring another 40 German, 37 English, 48 French, and 36 maths teachers.
Currently, many teachers are already working overtime. If all extra hours were replaced with full-time positions, Luxembourg would need an additional 36 German, 40 English, 50 French, and 51 maths teachers. In total, the five-year estimated demand reaches 119 German, 134 English, 159 French, and 161 maths teachers, though the ministry notes that a complete elimination of overtime is “hardly realistic.”
Why filling these positions may be tricky
The University of Luxembourg currently has 84 students pursuing Master’s degrees for secondary education, including 26 in maths, 19 in German, 29 in French, and 10 in Luxembourgish.
Beyond the local university, many Luxembourgers are studying abroad in fields that could lead to teaching careers. Across six countries, 502 students are enrolled in languages and literature programs, while 392 are studying maths and statistics.
However, the ministers cautioned that not all graduates will become teachers. Many programs have a broader academic scope, and some students may choose careers outside the classroom, meaning the projected shortages may not be fully resolved by local or international study programs.
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Luxembourg schools, known for offering some of the highest teacher salaries in the world, will need strategic planning to ensure these gaps don’t affect student learning.
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