Germany's poverty rate at highest level since statistics were collected. What are the most vulnerable categories?
The poverty rate in Germany has increased to a record level of 16.1% in 2025, so that approximately 13.3 million people are officially classified as poor, according to a report published on Tuesday by Paritatische, a group that brings together several charitable organizations, informs DPA, taken over by Agerpres.
The poverty rate rose from 15.5% in 2024 and reached the highest level since statistical data began to be collected, the association pointed out, citing official data published earlier this year.
According to the definition of the European Union, people are considered at risk of poverty if their income is below 60% of the national average. In Germany, this threshold was 1,446 euros ($1,683) per month for a one-person household and 3,036 euros for a household with two adults and two children under 14.
The Paritatische Group pointed out that the 2025 increase reversed a decline recorded between 2020 and 2023 and points to a worsening of social disparities.
The lowest poverty rates are recorded in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany's strongest regional economies, where they stand at 12.6% and 13.2%, respectively.
Older people were among the hardest hit groups, with almost one in five people aged 65 or over classified as poor or at risk of poverty.
Single-person households, single parents and people with lower levels of education have also been disproportionately affected, with the report's authors saying poverty is on the rise, particularly among groups facing structural disadvantages and limited access to the labor market.
Four out of five people affected by poverty were not employed. According to the report, 70% of those living in poverty were German citizens, while 30% held foreign citizenship.
The report points out that many households were struggling to meet daily expenses. Around 6.9% of Germany's population last year did not have enough income to cover their ordinary living costs, including higher energy bills and replacing basic household appliances.
