Poverty in Germany: Every Sixth Person Struggles, Report Finds

Poverty remains a pressing issue in Germany, affecting a wide range of people including the unemployed, single parents, children, those with a migration background, and individuals with disabilities. The latest report reveals that social inequality is on the rise, with the wealthiest tenth of the population owning over 54% of the wealth, while the lower half owns a mere 3%.

Joachim Rock, CEO of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, has identified several key areas for reducing inequality and promoting sustainable resource distribution. These include strengthening the participation of the wealthy in financing public goods, implementing solidaristic financing of social insurance, and reforming inheritance and income taxes to be fairer. Additionally, he calls for poverty-proof basic security and significant investments in social housing, education, inclusion, and health.

The report highlights that every sixth person in Germany lives in poverty, underscoring the urgency of these reforms. Housing has emerged as a critical factor in social inequality, with almost every eighth household spending more than 40% of its income on it. Despite minimum wage increases in crisis years, real wages have fallen, further exacerbating the issue. Even employment does not guarantee protection against poverty, with every sixth job being a low-wage job.

The Paritätischer Gesamtverband demands stronger participation of the super-rich in financing the commonwealth, fairer inheritance and income taxes, poverty-proof basic security, and massive investments in social housing, education, inclusion, and health. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting social advancement and protecting the fabric of German society.