According to results from the EU-SILC survey presented by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), students in Germany with their own independent household management spend an average of 54 percent of their disposable household income on housing costs. This figure is more than double the rate for the general population, which stands at 24 percent.
The financial burden is even heavier for students living alone; Destatis reports that these individuals allocate 56 percent of their disposable household income to rent, compared to 49 percent for those who live exclusively with other students or trainees. When looking at all students, regardless of their living arrangement, the proportion of disposable income going towards housing is 32 percent, which is still higher than the average for the overall population.
Destatis defines a household as being housing cost burdened if their expenses exceed 40 percent of their disposable household income, even after accounting for housing-related transfer payments. Last year, 65 percent of students with independent households were classified as being overly burdened by housing costs. Students living alone fell into this over-burdened category at a similar rate (66 percent). When all students are considered, 28 percent are classified as housing cost burdened, compared to 11 percent in the general population.
Many students face low overall incomes, a situation partly attributed to the fact that they are in a phase of life dedicated to investing in their education and future careers. Destatis noted that half of students managing their own household last reported a median net equivalent income of less than 963 euros per month.
Students typically rely on both earned income and private support. On average, students with independent households draw 45 percent of their income from employment. Additionally, 29 percent of their income comes from private support, such as financial assistance from relatives, while 14 percent comes from BAföG benefits or scholarships, and 12 percent comes from other sources like child benefits or survivor pensions.
Across all students, the average self-employment income is 43 percent. Support from parents or relatives accounts for 15 percent of total income, while BAföG benefits and other aid constitute 12 percent. The remainder, 29 percent of total student income, is derived from other sources, such as child benefits or survivor pensions.
