Poverty in Germany hits record high, report says

Poverty in Germany has hit a record high, with 16.1% of the population, or 13.3 million people, living below the poverty line in 2025. The Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, a social welfare organization, described this as a "sad record," noting that no previous year saw so many people affected by poverty.

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a sad record

The report highlights a "negative trend reversal" after poverty rates had declined from 2020 to 2023. Those considered at risk of poverty or simply "poor" earn less than 60% of the median income. For a single person, this threshold was 1,446 euros net per month, while a family of four with two children under 14 needed 3,036 euros.

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a negative trend reversal

Significant regional differences exist. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, with their strong economies, reported the lowest poverty rates at 12.6% and 13.2%, respectively. In contrast, Bremen recorded the highest rate at 27.5%, followed by Saxony-Anhalt (21.3%), Hamburg (18.9%), and Berlin (18.7%).

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The evening of life is becoming a poverty trap

The "evening of life" is becoming a "poverty trap," the report warns, with nearly one in five people aged 65 and over affected by poverty. Other vulnerable groups include single individuals (30.3%), single parents (28.9%), and those with low educational attainment (29.1%). The authors attribute the rise in poverty to structural disadvantages, such as limited education and access to the job market. While 70% of those affected are German citizens, 30% are not.

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poverty is increasing particularly where structural disadvantages exist