In 2024, the total spending by public and private sectors on education, research, and science in Germany amounted to 426 billion euros, according to preliminary calculations. Spending was nominally 21 billion euros, or five percent, higher than in the previous year. Correspondingly, this figure reached 9.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), a slight increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to the prior year.
Looking specifically at the educational budget, the total expenditure from public and private hands was 305 billion euros (constituting 7.0 percent of the GDP). This represented a six percent increase year-on-year. The majority of these funds-250 billion euros-were dedicated to educational institutions, regardless of ownership type. This primary expenditure included 141 billion euros for schools and related near-school services (such as student transportation), 55 billion euros for tertiary education institutions (including research and development at universities), and 50 billion euros for daycare facilities. Additional 15 billion euros were allocated for educational funding programs (such as BAföG student aid). Furthermore, 30 billion euros covered operational areas related to education, including vocational training, after-school care, youth services, and local adult education colleges.
Expenditure on research and development by companies and non-university research institutions stood at 113 billion euros in 2024. This figure marked a four percent rise compared to the previous year. An additional eight billion euros was allocated to other educational and scientific infrastructure, such as libraries and museums, representing a five percent increase.
Data regarding the financing structure by ownership type is currently only available for 2023. In that year, public authorities accounted for 64 percent of the total spending on education, research, and science (with federal government at 13 percent, Länder/states at 38 percent, and municipalities at 13 percent). The private sector (including companies, non-profits, and private households) provided one-third (33 percent) of the funding, while the remaining two percent came from foreign sources.