In 2024, German public, church‑affiliated and private universities spent a combined €79.2 billion on teaching, research and medical care – an increase of about five percent over 2023. Personnel costs were the largest component, amounting to €44.6 billion, which represents roughly 56 % of total spending and rose six percent from the previous year. Ex‑ante operating expenditures also climbed six percent to €27.8 billion, while capital investments ticked up just 0.7 percent to €6.8 billion.
Medical institutions (including health‑science faculties) posted a slightly above‑average growth, allocating €39.2 billion – seven percent more than in 2023 – to the same categories. Ordinary universities without medical schools spent €28.5 billion, up four percent, and universities of applied sciences (including the specialist institutions) increased spending by 2.8 percent to €10.3 billion.
Total revenue for higher‑education institutions in 2024 reached €43.5 billion, matching the five‑percent rise in expenses. Consequently, the proportion of expenses covered by self‑generation – 55 % – remained unchanged from previous years. Income derived from commercial activities and assets grew six percent to €29.4 billion, with about 95 % of this amount coming from the medical units of universities, largely as proceeds from health‑care services.
Third‑party funding was €10.7 billion, a modest 0.5 percent increase versus 2023. This source of income is primarily earmarked for research and development at universities, including their medical and health‑science arms. The largest external funder was the federal government, which contributed €3.4 billion (+1.1 percent), followed by the German Research Foundation with €3.2 billion (+2.5 percent), and industry with €1.7 billion (+7.5 percent).
