Preliminary calculations suggest that in 2024, public and private sectors in Germany collectively allocated €426 billion for education, research, and science. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), this figure represents a nominal increase of €21 billion, or five percent, compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the spending’s share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saw a slight rise of 0.2 percentage points, reaching 9.8 percent.
Focusing specifically on education, the total budget for public and private providers was €305 billion in 2024-a 6 percent increase from the prior year (representing 7.0 percent of GDP). The largest expenditure component, amounting to €250 billion, was directed toward general educational institutions, spanning both public and private sectors. Within this figure, funds for schools and school-related logistics, such as student transportation, totaled €141 billion. Collegiate education and research, including development, received €55 billion, supplemented by €50 billion earmarked for daycare facilities. Additional educational support, such as funding for general education entitlements, accounted for €15 billion, while a further €30 billion was allocated to supplementary areas like vocational training, youth centers, and adult education centers.
In the realm of research and development, corporate and non-university research facilities invested €113 billion in 2024, marking a four percent increase year-on-year. Furthermore, the general educational and scientific infrastructure, including museums and libraries, received €8 billion, representing a 5 percent rise.
Regarding the sources of financing, comprehensive data outlining the structure by provider is currently only available for 2023. That year, public institutions covered 64 percent of the total funds for education, research, and science, comprising 13 percent from the federal government, 38 percent from the states, and 13 percent from local municipalities. The remainder was financed by private entities-including companies, non-profit organizations, and private households (accounting for 33 percent)-with an additional 2 percent sourced from foreign funding.
