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REPORT

European Student Living Monitor 2025

Country Highlights

Explore the Country Highlights section to discover key facts and notable aspects that highlight each country's unique situation

Respondents by countries:

Finland

711

Netherlands

741

Denmark

416

Sweden

534

Ireland

616

Austria

972

Spain

2,703

Italy

372

Germany

752

Iceland

293

United Kingdom

4,819

Belgium

178

Poland

212

Portugal

128

France

315

Other

397

Finland

711

Netherlands

741

Denmark

416

Sweden

534

Ireland

616

Austria

972

Spain

2,703

Italy

372

Germany

752

Iceland

293

United Kingdom

4,819

Belgium

178

Poland

212

Portugal

128

France

315

Other

397

At the Country Level

The research at the country level suggests some powerful findings about accommodation types, services and facilities which have the most positive impact on students.

The findings from Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands are of particular interest as these countries report the most positive impact of living environment on well-being.

The countries where mental health was reported as the best are Germany, Austria and Italy. The countries where respondents felt the greatest impact from their living environment are Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal are also the countries where respondents were most likely to recommend their accommodation

Country highlights

Explore country snapshots across Europe. For more in-depth reporting, visit our interactive open-source dashboard

Overview: What Impacts Student Happiness

Finances not good = constant worry, behind with finances

Finances good = I could easily handle a major unexpected expense, money left at the end of the month

Category/key
MHI5 scores
Non- binary/other, finances not good
38.76
Long term illness/disability, finances not  good
40.41
Living at home, finances not good
42.06
Female, finances not good
48.44
ALL, Finances not good
49.48
Living in PBSA PBSA, finances not good
49.77
No long term illness/disability, finances  not good
51.79
Male, finances not good
52.11
Long term illness/disability, finances good
52.26
SLM Average
58.08
Living at home, finances good
59.36
Female, finances good
62.07
ALL, Finances good
64.11
PBSA, finances good
64.41
No long term illness/disability, finances  good
65.52
Male, finances good
67.47

Agency

Students who obtain their first choice of accommodation are far more likely to recommend it to others. NPS average rating of first choice accommodation is 7.6 /10 whilst those who did not obtain their first choice give an average score of 5.7 /10. The living experience of students not in their first choice accommodation is lower at MHI-5 score of 54 than those who did at 59.

Importance of agency and choice: Respondents by first choice of accommodation

Inclusion

Students with disabilities or long-term illness reported an average MHI-5 score of 46.2. Compared to those with no disability/illness, 60.2,  there is a 14-point difference. Those who don’t identify as cisgender  have the worst MHI-5 scores among survey respondents; 45.4). Cisgendered female students score 56.7 and male 61.1

Demographics and NPS

Impact of financial distress

Financial pressure is negatively linked to living experience and the wellbeing impact of accommodation. Nearly 2/3rds of the respondents are negatively impacted by finances.

Wellbeing_NPS by financial situation

Further Research

HEPI Student Academic Experience Survey research takes place annually and in 2025 achieved over 10,000 responses from UK based students. Financial worries, linking in with increased workload due to taking on more paid employment, have all served to worsen mental health of students.

The HEPI SEAS 2025 can be found here.

Impact of Rent on Mental Health

The relationship between rent and MHI-5 is weak/unclear, as shown in the charts for 2023, 2024 and 2025 SLM results. However, several student testimonials gathered by SLM do show that being able to afford rent is a stressor for many.

In 2023 and 2024, those who don’t pay rent suffer from poorer mental health and this is connected to the poorer wellbeing scores observed by the survey of those who live at home who arguably have little autonomy in defining their living environment. However, this seemed to have changed in 2025 findings, possibly due to the aspect that staying at home is preferred over struggling financially to pay rent.

Not knowing where to find support

20% of the survey respondents, i.e., 1 out 5 students, do not know where to find support during their university life. Those who lack/do not know to turn for help report a MHI5 score of 49.6 vs  60.2 score of the ones who do have support/guidance.

Impact of access to/having support on mental health

Loneliness

Over 40%, i.e.2 out of 5, students said that their living experience has been negatively impacted by loneliness. Those who had been affected recorded an average MHI-5 score of 49.9, compared to a score of 63.7 for students who had not been affected by loneliness. This is a 13.8 point difference, making it the most pronounced personal issue identified in this survey. Conversely, those not experiencing loneliness had some of the best living experience in the survey.

Impact of loneliness on mental health

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Interested in getting involved or curious to learn more? Please contact our Research Manager, Arunima Dey at arunima@theclassfoundation.com

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