Federal student aid grant, Bafög, reaches 2000 record low
In a recent report, it was revealed that the number of BAföG recipients in Germany saw a 4% decrease in 2024, with 22,800 fewer students receiving financial aid compared to the previous year. This decline, however, is not a new phenomenon. Since 2000, the number of BAföG recipients has been on a steady downward trend.
This decrease can be attributed to several factors. Demographic changes, with lower birth rates in previous decades, have led to fewer potential BAföG applicants in the typical student age group. Changes in eligibility criteria and economic improvements may have tightened access or reduced the pool of qualifying students. Shifts in education paths, such as pursuing alternative educational pathways, and increased tuition fees and costs could also impact application and receipt rates.
Despite the decrease in the number of recipients, the average monthly BAföG benefit has generally increased over the years, adjusted for inflation and policy changes, to better support students’ living costs. From relatively modest amounts around 2000, the average BAföG monthly grant has grown to provide more considerable financial assistance, reflecting rising costs of living and education expenses. In 2024, the average monthly BAföG benefit was 635 euros, down from 640 euros in the previous year.
In 2024, most BAföG recipients were under 25 years old, with women making up 59 percent of recipients, while men accounted for 41 percent. The majority of recipients did not live with their parents, and the majority of BAföG recipients were students, numbering 483,800, while the number of pupils receiving BAföG benefits was 129,000.
It is worth noting that federal spending on BAföG support decreased by 9% or 316 million euros in 2024, totaling 3.1 billion euros. This decrease comes after a slight increase in 2022 and 2023 before the decrease in 2024.
The BAföG program, funded by the German federal government, provides a monthly benefit to eligible students and trainees to help cover their living expenses. For more precise figures or detailed year-by-year changes, official reports from the German Federal Statistical Office and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research would provide comprehensive data.
This report is based on data from ntv.de and dpa, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.
The total amount of aid granted by the BAföG program in 2024 decreased by 316 million euros, with the finance for the program amounting to 3.1 billion euros. This decrease, however, did not affect the business sector significantly, as the average monthly BAföG benefit continued to serve its purpose in supporting students' living expenses.
