The poverty rate in Germany rose in 2025 to a record level of 16.1%, which means approximately 13.3 million people classified as poor, according to a report published on Tuesday by Paritätische, an umbrella group for several charitable organizations.
The figure increased from 15.5% a year earlier, reaching the highest level since comparable records began, the association stated, citing official data published earlier this year, as reported by dpa.
What it means to be poor in Germany
According to the European Union definition, a person is considered at risk of poverty if their income is below 60% of the national median. In Germany, this threshold was €1,446 ( $1,683) per month for a single-person household and €3,036 for a household with two adults and two children under 14 years old in 2025.
The increase in poverty comes after a decline in the same rate recorded between 2020 and 2023, note the authors of the report, who also found a deepening of social disparities.
The lowest poverty rates were recorded in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, two strong regional economies of Germany - 12.6% and 13.2%, respectively.
The most affected individuals
- Elderly people were among the most affected groups, with nearly one in five individuals aged 65 or older classified as poor or at risk of poverty.
- Single-person households, single parents, and individuals with lower levels of education were also disproportionately affected, with the report authors noting that poverty is increasing especially among groups facing structural disadvantages and limited access to the labor market.
Four out of five people affected by poverty were not employed in 2025, and at the same time, according to the report, 70% of those living in poverty were German citizens, with 30% holding foreign citizenship.
The report shows that many households struggled to cover their daily expenses; approximately 6.9% of the population did not have sufficient income last year to cover their usual living costs, including higher energy bills and the replacement of essential appliances.