New data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a significant disparity in housing costs between students, trainees and the general population in Germany. Students maintaining their own households allocate, on average, 53 percent of their disposable household income to housing, substantially higher than the national average of just under 25 percent.
The burden is particularly acute for students living alone, with housing costs consuming 54 percent of their income. While students sharing accommodation with other students or trainees experience a lower proportion – nearly 37 percent – it remains considerably higher than the overall population average.
Trainees managing independent households also dedicate a substantial share of their income to housing, averaging 41 percent. Similar to students, single trainees allocate a larger percentage – 42 percent – to housing expenses compared to those living in shared accommodations (26 percent).
Destatis classifies households as over-burdened by housing costs when these expenses exceed 40 percent of disposable income after accounting for housing-related benefits. In the past year, 62 percent of student households fell into this category, rising to 64 percent for those living alone. Shared student/trainee households experienced a lower rate of 34 percent. By comparison, only 12 percent of all households nationwide were classified as over-burdened.
Among trainees managing independent households, approximately 37 percent were considered over-burdened by housing costs, with single trainees (41 percent) facing a greater burden than those in shared living arrangements (12 percent).
Statisticians note that the relatively low incomes of students and trainees are partially attributable to their investment in education and future career prospects. Half of students in independent households had a net equivalent income of under 930 euros per month, while the median net equivalent income for trainees in independent households was 1,278 euros per month.
A significant portion of income for both groups is derived from employment. Students living alone or with others averaged 42 percent of their income from earned employment, with 32 percent from private support such as parental allowances, 14 percent from BAföG (federal education assistance) or scholarships and nearly 12 percent from other sources like child benefits.
Trainees in independent households rely more heavily on earned income, accounting for 81 percent of their total available income. Private support comprised only 5 percent of their income, while BAföG contributed just 2 percent.