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Expenditure of universities in Germany increased by five per cent in 2022, indicating that higher education institutions in the country spent €3.8 million more than they did in the previous year. 

According to Destatis, the Federal Statistical Office, a good share of expenses was made for personnel – a remaining trend from the previous year, Studying-in-Germany.org reports. 

In 2022, universities spent billions to maintain current operating expenses while investment expenditures totalled over €9 billion. In other words, €40.6 billion was spent on personnel expenses, representing 57 per cent of all expenditures for the year. Expenses for personnel were higher by four percentage points compared to 2021.

Self-Financing for Universities in Germany Increased by 55% in 2022

There was a higher flow of income than of expenditure for universities in 2022 – around a seven per cent increase in income, which totalled €39.1 billion. On the other hand, self-financed expenses increased significantly during this time – 55 per cent. This means that universities were able to make expenses that were covered by income. 

“Income from economic activity and assets increased by six per cent to €25.8 billion. The universities’ medical facilities contributed around 95 per cent of this income, including fees for medical treatment,” Destatis data reveal.

Student contributions to the total income increased by 11 per cent in 2022, totalling €1.92 billion, while basic federal funding reached €143 million, indicating a 14 per cent increase. 

Expenditure at Medical Facilities & Health Sciences Rose by 6%

Teaching, research and medical treatment were the main expenses for universities in 2022, costing €34.4 billion. Medical facilities and health sciences also experienced an increase in expenses, reaching €25.9 billion. 

Expenditure at technical colleges, including administrative colleges, reached €9.4 billion, showing an eight per cent increase in expenses. 

Third-party Funding Reaches Breaks Record, Surpassing €10 Billion 

With a nine per cent increase in third-party funding, including grants, sponsorships, and other similar forms of funding, universities raised nine per cent more funds in 2022, totalling €10.4 billion. 

This form of funding is designated for research and development at universities, including medical institutions and health sciences. 

“The largest third-party donor to universities in 2022 was the federal government with €3.3 billion (ten per cent compared to 2021), ahead of the German Research Foundation with €3.1 billion (six per cent) and the commercial sector with €1.53 billion (0.2 per cent),” Destatis reports.  

According to the newest edition of Wissenschaft Weltoffen, the total number of students in Germany is 2.8 million, with over 458,000 being international students.