The survey examines how people in Germany look back on their experiences of music lessons at general education schools – and what importance they attach to them today.
Music education is highly valued in Germany: 69 per cent of the population aged 16 and over consider it important or very important for children and young people to receive music lessons at school. The perceived importance is closely linked to people’s own experiences of the subject at school. For example, the proportion stands at 85 per cent amongst those who had music on their timetable throughout their school career, and as high as 92 per cent amongst those who generally enjoyed music lessons. Age and gender are also linked to the perceived importance of music as a school subject.
61 per cent of the population report that they had music as a subject during most of their school years (38 per cent) or even throughout their entire school career (23 per cent). It is striking that 39 per cent of the East German population state that they had music lessons throughout their entire school career, whilst in the West this applies to only 20 per cent.
A narrow majority have fond memories of music lessons at school: 52 per cent report that they enjoyed them. Many have particularly positive memories of singing and making music together: 64 per cent of those with positive experiences of the lessons specifically mention this. Similarly, 56 per cent report that they continue to benefit today from skills acquired in lessons, such as reading music, a sense of rhythm or general musical knowledge.
At the same time, the study reveals a clear correlation between the regularity of music lessons and people’s own subsequent involvement in music-making: of those who had music lessons throughout their school years, 42 per cent still make music themselves today. Among those who did not have music lessons, however, this figure stands at only 14 per cent. The effect is particularly pronounced when it comes to playing an instrument.
The study marks the launch of the new survey series ‘Musikmonitor Deutschland’. This first survey is based on 1,057 oral and in person (face-to-face) with people aged 16 and over, which were conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research between 23 March and 9 April 2026.
