"You can be whatever you want." But only if it's close to home

Living in the interior of the country and belonging to a low-income household are two of the main factors that hinder young people's access to higher education. The conclusions of the Edulog study highlight that students in rural areas have fewer academic opportunities and often have to study far from home. However, the number of those who can do so is decreasing due to skyrocketing accommodation costs, which have become unaffordable for many families, particularly those with lower incomes. This persistent reality shows that measures taken to address inequalities have not been effective, and the problem is worsening. The rise in rental prices in Portugal affects accommodation for displaced students, with average costs increasing significantly over the past four years. This financial inequality now impacts a growing number of students, including those from the middle class, who are also struggling with rising living costs. A recent conversation highlighted the challenges faced by students today compared to the past, where accommodation costs were much lower. The phrase “you can study whatever you want, but it has to be close to home” reflects the increasingly common reality of constrained ambition, as social mobility remains slow.