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4h ago

Two in Three German Students Living on Their Own Are Overburdened by Housing Costs

The release has prompted student advocates to demand faster BAföG increases.

Ein Wohnungsgesuch in Hamburg.
Zwei von drei Studierenden mit eigenem Haushalt sind in Deutschland nach amtlichen Zahlen durch ihre Wohnkosten finanziell überlastet. Das Deutsche Studierendenwerk warnte vor einer neuen "sozialen Auslese".
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Overview

  • Students with their own household spent an average of 53% of their available income on housing in 2024, according to the statistics office.
  • Households are classified as overburdened when housing costs exceed 40% of available income after benefits, a threshold crossed by 62% of student households.
  • Even in shared flats, students devoted about 37% of income to housing, and 34% of these households were still overburdened.
  • Half of students living independently had a net equivalised income below €930 per month, with about 42% of income from work, 32% from family support, 14% from BAföG or scholarships, and 12% from other sources.
  • By comparison, the overall population averaged roughly a 25% housing cost share with 12% overburdened, while apprentices faced an average burden of 41%.