Survey: Over half of Estonia's students forced to work while studying

A new study by Estonian think tank Praxis reveals that the financial situation of students in Estonia has worsened in recent years. More than half of students are now compelled to hold jobs alongside their studies to make ends meet.

The economic pressures facing university and college students in Estonia have intensified significantly in recent years, with a majority now juggling employment alongside their academic commitments, according to new research published by Praxis, the Estonian social analysis think tank.

The Praxis study found that over half of all students in Estonia are working while enrolled in their studies — a trend that reflects broader deterioration in student financial wellbeing. Analysts warn that the need to work can negatively affect academic performance, mental health, and the overall quality of higher education outcomes.

The findings point to a growing gap between the cost of living in Estonia and the financial support available to students through grants, loans, and family contributions. Rising housing costs, particularly in Tallinn and Tartu, have placed additional strain on young people trying to balance budgets while pursuing degrees.

Praxis researchers stress that the situation calls for a policy response, including a review of student support mechanisms to ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to completing higher education. Without structural changes, experts caution, Estonia risks seeing more students dropping out or extending their studies beyond the standard timeframe.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that student poverty is becoming a systemic issue in Estonia rather than an individual circumstance, raising questions for policymakers about the long-term sustainability of the country's higher education funding model.