Video showing: Increase in educational expenses surpassing inflation rate - Exploring which nations bear the highest costs

In Europe, the cost of sending children back to school is on the rise, with families in many countries facing increased financial burdens.

In Hungary, school costs have seen an approximate 6% increase, translating to a burden of €100 to €150 per family. This is a significant addition to the family budget, especially for those on a tight financial footing.

Across the English Channel, school costs for middle school pupils in Britain are over €2,600 a year, marking a 30% increase over the past two years. This steep rise has put a strain on many families, particularly those with multiple children. Uniform costs remain a significant burden, adding to the overall expense. Food costs, including packed lunches and snacks, are described as the largest cost pressure in Britain.

Italy is another country where school costs are a concern. Textbooks are the most expensive item for Italian families, with parents often needing to buy new books instead of second-hand ones, even for minor changes between the old and the new edition. This trend is reflected in the estimated expenditure for middle school students, which is nearly €600 a year, and over €1,200 for high school students.

Portugal is projected to see a similar trend, with at least a third of families expected to spend up to €150. However, it is unclear whether this includes textbooks or other school materials.

In contrast, France has implemented a system where textbooks are mostly lent and managed by parents' associations, and there is a yearly school allowance of around €450 for pupils aged 6 to 18. This has helped to keep the average cost of school expenses for a pupil at a relatively low €211.

School trips and meals also contribute significantly to school expenses. Some German federal states have set limits on how much can be spent on school trips by teachers, but the estimated cost of sending a child to school in Germany is approximately €3,600 a year, with school meals costing around €4 per child and school trips averaging €2,000 per year.

Austria, Denmark, and Luxembourg typically record the highest expenditures per student for school materials such as textbooks, bags, notebooks, and writing instruments among EU countries.

In Spain, school costs are projected to increase by around 2%, with about 70% of expenses going towards textbooks, amounting to approximately €360. This is a substantial portion of the overall school costs, highlighting the importance of textbooks in the education system.

In conclusion, while the cost of sending children back to school is rising across Europe, there are differences in the specific areas where the most expense is incurred. Understanding these variations can help families to better budget for the upcoming school year and make informed decisions about their educational investments.