German Students Face Severe Housing Shortage, Spending Half of Income on Accommodation
The start of the semester has seen a severe housing shortage for German students. In 70 out of 88 cities, affordable accommodation within the BAföG housing cost allowance (380 euros) was scarce. This has led to students spending a larger portion of their income on housing than the general population.
The lack of affordable housing has significantly impacted students. In 2024, the average student budgeted 505 euros for housing, which is 125 euros more than the BAföG allowance. This means students are spending an average of 53% of their disposable income on housing, compared to the overall population's average of 25%.
The situation is particularly dire for students managing their own households. Despite receiving at least 380 euros in BAföG housing assistance, many still struggle to find suitable accommodation within that budget. However, there is no publicly available data specifying the exact number of students facing this issue.
The high demand for student housing and the lack of affordable options have led to students spending a significant portion of their income on accommodation. This financial burden may impact students' academic performance and overall well-being. Addressing this issue requires urgent attention from policymakers and stakeholders in the housing sector.
