A study commissioned by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and carried out by PROGNOS AG shows that Germany benefits economically from the mobility of international students.

The 160 702 foreign students in 2011 made consumption expenditures of EUR 1.531 billion ??in Germany. Compared with the other countries examined in the study (Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland and Spain), this is the highest value. This consumer spending led to tax revenue in the amount of EUR 400 million, which corresponds to EUR 2 500 per student. In sum, public investment in international students (university places and scholarships) already pays for itself if 30 % of the graduates stay on and work in Germany for at least five years after their graduation.

The German minister for education and research, Johanna Wanka as well as DAAD president Margret Wintermantel welcomed the results of the study. Ms Wintermantel, however, stressed that mobility has positive effects regardless of whether students return to their home countries after graduating or chose to stay in Germany. “Returnees can provide skills that are useful in their home countries while they can also act as friends and ambassadors for Germany”.

A detailed review of the study can be found in the publications section.

DAAD - Press release

DAAD - Report (in German)

DAAD - Report Executive summary