Figures released by Germany’s federal statistical office Destatis have prompted the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, an umbrella organisation of non-statutory welfare organisations, to raise the alarm over the increasing impoverishment of students.
“People who are studying ought to be able to concentrate on their education instead of constantly worrying about money,” said Dr Joachim Röck, chief managing director of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband.
Röck said irregular increases in support provided in accordance with the federal grants and loans scheme (BAföG – Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) can hardly keep pace with the rising level of wage costs.
Appeal for changes to scheme
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He called for BAföG to be adapted to the Bürgergeld, a federal government scheme introduced in 2023 to guarantee a minimum income for all those unable to cover their living costs through their own income and assets. Bürgergeld levels are adjusted depending on wage and cost of living developments.
According to Destatis, 35% of students are threatened by poverty. Students in rented accommodation are having particular difficulty meeting the costs of living, spending 54% of their monthly income on housing.
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“Students are especially hard hit by skyrocketing rent levels in cities,” Röck noted. “The flat rate to cover housing costs in BAföG payments isn’t keeping pace with developments and needs timely adjustment.” In the long run, he added, students need more affordable housing.
Housing costs
The Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband supports around 10,000 independent charitable organisations operating in the social welfare and health sectors. Its focal areas include inequality and social exclusion.
A brief expert report the association published jointly with the Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW – German Student Welfare Service) in June puts the share of students living in poverty at almost 36%.
And according to the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband’s own surveys, more than a third of all students spend over €400 (US$442) a month on accommodation, while between 16 and 20 % are paying more than €500.
Limited benefits
“BAföG support reaches just 12% of all students. The federal statistical office has pointed out that a much larger share of students are hardly able to make ends meet,” said DSW board chairman Matthias Anbuhl. “So far more students have to be able to benefit from BAföG.”
Anbuhl also stressed the need to adjust BAföG support levels to match price and wage level developments, and to modify eligibility criteria for students in need of BAföG.
University World News
