For the 17 countries for which data was available, public funding for higher educational institutions (HEIs) grew in nine countries and fell in eight from 2012 to 2013, according to the European University Association’s “Public Funding Observatory,” which obtained public funding data from questionnaires sent to the National Rectors’ Conferences earlier this year. In 2012, public funding for HEIs in Iceland and Austria grew more than 23% and more than 10%, respectively. Funding grew 5%–10% in the Czech Republic, Norway, Poland and Sweden, and 1%–5% in Belgium, France and Lithuania. There was minimal change in funding in Italy, the Netherlands and Slovakia. Public funding for HEIs in Greece and Hungary experienced the steepest declines at 25% and 19%, respectively. Portugal, and England and Wales combined had a 5%–10% funding decline, and Croatia’s funding for HEIs dropped 1%–5%. In countries for which funding declined, support for infrastructure and staff was reduced the most. Funds to maintain and build infrastructure decreased in Croatia, Greece and Ireland.

Source: European University Association