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Germany student housing costs rise amid labor market benefits
Reports from the Institute of the German Economy (IW) highlight significant challenges and economic contributions within the German student population.
Regarding housing, the 2026 MLP Student Housing Report shows that quality-adjusted asking rents at 38 university locations rose by an average of 2.6 percent in the first half of 2026. Rental costs vary drastically by city; for a 30-square-meter apartment, Munich is the most expensive at approximately 880 euros, while Chemnitz is the least expensive at roughly 280 euros. A decline in construction activity at two-thirds of these locations threatens to exacerbate housing shortages.
Separately, an IW study commissioned by the DAAD emphasizes the economic value of international students. The number of international students starting studies in Germany has nearly doubled over the last 15 years. Data indicates that 59 percent of international students who intend to graduate remain in the country nine years after their arrival, contributing to the skilled labor market and public finances through taxes and social security contributions.
Entities
Chemnitz · DAAD · Germany · Institute of the German Economy · Munich
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The number of international students starting studies in Germany has nearly doubled in 15 years, from 58,400 in 2008 to 116,600 in the 2023 academic year. wirsindderwandel.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Construction activity has declined at approximately two-thirds of the studied university locations. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Munich is the most expensive of the 38 studied locations with monthly warm rents of approximately 880 euros for a 30-square-meter apartment. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Quality-adjusted asking rents at 38 university locations rose by an average of 2.6 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Chemnitz is the least expensive location with monthly warm rents of approximately 280 euros for a 30-square-meter apartment. www.leinetal24.de · www.hna.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 59 percent of international students intending to graduate still live in Germany nine years after their arrival. wirsindderwandel.de