German universities boost spending to €79.2 billion in 2024
German universities spent €79.2 billion in 2024, marking a 5% rise from the previous year. The increase reflects growing investments across academic sectors, with medical and non-medical departments both seeing higher expenditures. Medical faculties led the spending growth, with costs climbing by 7% to €39.2 billion. Non-medical university departments followed, spending €28.5 billion—a 4% increase from 2023. Universities of applied sciences also saw a rise, with expenditures up by 2.8% to €10.3 billion.
Operating expenses across all institutions grew by 6%, reaching €27.8 billion. Personnel costs remained the largest single expense, accounting for 56% of total spending. These costs rose by 6% year-on-year, totalling €44.6 billion.
Investment spending, however, saw only a modest increase of 0.7%, bringing the total to €6.8 billion. Overall university revenue in 2024 reached €43.5 billion, up 5% from 2023. The 2024 figures show a clear trend of rising costs in higher education, particularly in personnel and medical faculty spending. With total expenditures now at €79.2 billion, universities face continued pressure to balance budgets while maintaining academic and operational standards.
