University of Gdańsk sees rising student dropout rates

High living costs and academic misalignment are driving an increasing number of students to abandon their studies in Poland. Data from the University of Gdańsk reveals that nearly one in five students resigns during their first year. In the 2024/25 academic year, the dropout rate reached 21.8 percent.

Financial pressures are the primary driver, cited by 58 percent of surveyed students. The difficulty of securing affordable housing is a major factor, particularly in cities like Gdańsk, where 42.1 percent of students come from outside the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Only 8.6 percent of students at the university utilize university dormitories, leaving nearly half to rely on the private rental market.

Other significant reasons for leaving include a mismatch between the field of study and personal interests (50 percent), the desire to change majors (47 percent), difficulties balancing work and study (45 percent), and academic struggles (41 percent).