Public budgets spent an average of €10,500 per pupil at state‑run schools in 2024. According to provisional data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday, this nominal figure-roughly €700, or seven percent-was higher than the amount in 2023.
The jump is the strongest since 2019 and is largely driven by rising personnel costs. Three‑quarters of total spending, €7,900 (75 %), went to staff wages. The remaining funds were split between operating expenses (€1,500, 14 %) and investments (€1,100, 11 %).
At general‑education schools, the average per‑student expenditure in 2024 was €11,300, about €700 (7 %) more than the previous year. Spending varied notably across school types: primary schools averaged €9,000 per pupil, integrated comprehensive schools around €12,500, and secondary schools (Gymnasien) about €11,700.
Expenditure at vocational schools was considerably lower. In 2024, an average of €7,600 was spent per student-a rise of €500 (7 %) from 2023. The lower figure is mainly attributable to the predominance of part‑time teaching in the dual apprenticeship system.
Per‑student spending rose in every federal state in 2024. The largest percentage increases-each 11 %-were recorded in Bremen, Brandenburg, and Hessen. Highest absolute spending per pupil was seen in Berlin (€13,700), Hamburg (€13,200), and Bavaria (€11,900). Sachsen‑Anhalt had the lowest at €9,100 per student. When comparing states, it is important to remember that differences in school structures, curricula, student‑teacher ratios, pay scales, building management, and the timing of investment programmes all play a role.