Nearly a third of Porto university students spend more than 500 euros on living expenses

A survey conducted by the Academic Federation of Porto (FAP) among 1277 students showed that almost a third of university students (29%) spend more than 500 euros per month on current expenses, as announced this Friday.

The survey “The impact of rising inflation on the lives of students”, covering 1277 university students and carried out as part of the National Student Day, which is celebrated this Friday, shows that 29% of respondents “spend more than 500 euros” on current expenses, i.e. on living expenses , transportation, fees or meals”.

A survey conducted between the 16th and Tuesday and available by Lusa showed that 26% of respondents spend between 350 and 500 euros.

Of the students surveyed, 24% say they spend between 200 and 350 euros, while 21% say they spend less than 200 euros.

“The impact of inflation on the daily lives of students is felt in the cost of food, trips to the supermarket, as well as in a decrease in the purchase of educational materials,” one of the findings of the study says.

It also shows that 51% of respondents prepare food at home and consume it in college.

Nearly half of respondents (47%) said they reduced the cost of each purchase, and 32% said they reduced the frequency of shopping.

27% of respondents confirmed that “buying cheaper food” is increasing, albeit with lower nutritional value.

19% of those surveyed said they are reducing the purchase of school supplies.

When asked about their psychological well-being, 74% of students admitted that they had already felt a significant deterioration during the current academic year.

Of the 941 students who admitted that their mental health had been affected, a large majority (78%) said that this decline in their psychological well-being was due to academic pressure, with 64% of students believing it was due to rising costs of living.

Among the factors disturbing the mental health of students, there is also a professional future: 35% of respondents consider their career prospects unattainable.

The fear of not finding a job touched 26% of students, pointing out youth unemployment among the reasons for the decline in their psychological well-being.

In terms of being able to cover the costs of higher education, 4% said they did not have sufficient economic resources, and 34% said they experienced difficulties during the school year.

When asked about the possibility of dropping out for financial reasons, 24% said they thought or were already thinking about dropping out.

Students believe that the five main problems that need to be addressed immediately in higher education are the use of passive, expositional and non-innovative teaching and learning methods, noted by more than half of the students surveyed (54%).

A small number of public student residences and difficulties in paying rent are other major problems mentioned by half of the respondents.

Tuition costs, fees and charges (47%), excessive workload (43%), lack of space, and long waiting times in canteens (35%) were other issues listed by students.

Among the 1277 respondents, the majority were women (72%), who studied at advanced training courses (79%).

Of the total number of respondents, 45% are internally displaced persons and 32% receive a scholarship (of which 26% are social action scholarship holders).