[National Survey of 1,100 People] 80% Report Financial Strain Due to Inflation, Yet Education Costs Remain Untouchable; Over 40% Use Savings from High School Tuition Waivers for Living Expenses

Duolingo, Inc. (Headquarters: Pittsburgh, USA) conducted a survey on "Awareness of High School Tuition Waivers and Household/Education Expenses," targeting 1,100 parents with children in junior high or high school. With the upcoming removal of income restrictions for high school tuition support funds starting in April 2026, the survey focused on how learning opportunities are being maintained amidst changing household financial burdens.

<Survey Summary>

1. Despite increasing financial pressure, education-related spending remains less likely to be cut compared to other expenses.

   • Approximately 80% of parents reported that their household finances have become tighter over the past year due to inflation. The top categories for spending cuts were "Dining out" (44.3%), "Travel/Leisure" (39.7%), and "Food costs" (39.2%). In contrast, only 9.6% reported cutting "Education expenses (lessons, etc.)."

2. Over half (58.3%) of parents feel that high school tuition waivers are (or will be) helpful to their household finances.

   • However, costs outside of tuition (school trips, uniforms, teaching materials, cram schools, etc.) remain out-of-pocket expenses.
   • 30.4% of parents reported that their annual out-of-pocket expenses for non-tuition costs exceed 300,000 yen.

3. The top use for money saved from tuition waivers is "Living expenses (food, etc.)" (43.5%), followed by "Savings" (30.9%) and "Cram school/Prep school" (22.8%).

4. Approximately 40% (39.7%) of parents reported an increase in the use of free learning apps due to rising prices. The primary reason cited was "No cost involved" (52.0%).

   • About 60% of app users utilize either "mainly free apps" or "a combination of free and paid apps."

<Survey Details>

Even with financial strain from inflation, education costs are the last to be cut.

When asked, "To what extent have your household finances become tighter due to rising prices over the past year?" 80.8% of respondents felt the impact, with 35.1% saying "significantly tighter" and 45.7% saying "somewhat tighter." This is likely because households with children generally have larger living expenses and are structurally more susceptible to the effects of inflation.