The Problem of teacher shortage is actual one of the most discussed problems in the school system in Germany as well as in other countries. This paper gives an insight into some specific points and reasons that may be important for the search for solutions. It could be shown, that teacher shortage is a generic but differentiated problem for different regions, school types and subjects. It could be also shown, that teacher shortage is likely underestimated in Germany, reasoned in challenges of educational forecasting, especially by the actual way of forecasting the number of successful graduations from teacher education. The analyses of data from Mecklenburg-West Pomerania indicate that the drop-out of student teachers is higher than expected and student teachers graduate mostly later than scheduled. Last but not least it could be shown, that the traditional system of teacher education might not be able to close the gap alone—especially in a short term. Reforming and developing the traditional system of teacher education is necessary, but it is difficult and will need a very long time. For that (and other reasons), it requires a stable and flexible system of alternative paths to becoming a teacher.