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The report confirms that while the impact of the crisis on national systems varies widely across Europe, no national higher education system has been left completely unaffected. The report groups countries in four categories: increased public funding to universities; stable funding; cuts of up to 10%; and cuts of more than 10% (over the period in comparison to 2008).
The analysis shows that a number of countries mainly in the south and east of Europe, some of which already have lower overall public investment levels in higher education, have made major or substantial cuts in higher education budgets since 2008. EUA believes that this poses the risk of creating deep divisions across Europe (in terms of higher education funding), as some countries that already had higher-than-average GDP expenditure on higher education have maintained or increased funding to universities over the period.
See also: Public Funding Observatory
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