New data released by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a significant disparity in housing costs borne by students and trainees compared to the general population. Students managing their own households allocate, on average, 53 percent of their available household income to housing, substantially higher than the national average of nearly 25 percent.
Single students face particularly high housing costs, consuming 54 percent of their income. While students sharing accommodation with other students or trainees report a lower burden – just under 37 percent – it still exceeds the national average. Trainees in independent households also dedicate a considerable portion of their income to housing, averaging 41 percent. Single trainees spend 42 percent, while those in shared housing arrangements see a cost of 26 percent, slightly above the national average.
Destatis defines households as “overburdened” if housing costs exceed 40 percent of income even after accounting for housing-related benefits. In the past year, 62 percent of student households fell into this category, rising to 64 percent for single students. Shared student/trainee accommodations saw 34 percent burdened, compared to just 12 percent across the general population. For trainees managing their own households, approximately 37 percent were overburdened, with single trainees (41 percent) more affected than those in shared living arrangements (12 percent).
Statisticians note that these financial pressures stem, in part, from students and trainees being in a life phase focused on investment in their education and future careers. Half of students in independent households reported a net equivalent income of under 930 euros per month, while trainees in independent households averaged 1,278 euros per month.
A significant portion of income for both groups comes from employment. Students living alone or in shared accommodations derive 42 percent of their income from employment, 32 percent from private financial support – such as parental allowances – 14 percent through grants or scholarships and nearly 12 percent from other sources like child benefits. In contrast, trainees in independent households rely more heavily on employment income – comprising 81 percent of their total income – and receive considerably less from private support (5 percent) and grants (2 percent).
