Education Expenditures in Germany Reach 185 Billion Euros in 2023
The German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported a significant increase in education expenditures in 2023, with a total of 185 billion euros, a nominal increase of 4..4% or eight billion euros compared to the previous year.
Broken down per capita, the public education expenditure in 2023 was 2,200 euros per person, up from 2,100 euros in 2022. The expenditure for the under-30 age group was 7,200 euros, up from 7,000 euros in 2022. However, the share of public education expenditure in the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) decreased to 4.5% in 2023, down from 4.6% in 2022.
The majority of the education expenditures, 90 billion euros or 49%, went towards schools. The remaining 95 billion euros were distributed among kindergartens (44 billion euros or 24%), higher education institutions (36 billion euros or 20%), and other education-related areas, including the promotion of education participants, youth and youth organization work, and miscellaneous education (15 billion euros or 8%).
The federal government’s education expenditures decreased by 0.9 billion euros or 7% to 12 billion euros in 2023, mainly due to lower allocations to the special fund for the Digital School Pact in 2023. The federal government’s education expenditures were distributed as follows: 44% for higher education, 45% for the promotion of education participants, 5% for miscellaneous education, 4% for youth and youth organization work, and 2% for schools.
The states (Länder) accounted for two-thirds of the total education expenditures, with a total of 126 billion euros, an increase of four billion euros or 3% compared to the previous year. The states’ education expenditures were distributed as follows: 55% for schools, 25% for higher education, and 17% for kindergartens, with the remaining 3% going towards the promotion of education participants, miscellaneous education, and youth and youth organization work.
The municipalities (Gemeinden) saw an increase of five billion euros or 11% in their education expenditures, with a total of 47 billion euros. The municipalities’ education expenditures were distributed as follows: 48% for kindergartens, 42% for schools, 5% for the promotion of education participants, and 4% for youth and youth organization work, with minimal expenditures for miscellaneous education and higher education.