Germany's poverty rate hits record 16.1% in 2025, charity warns of 'crisis-like situation'

Germany's poverty rate rose to a record 16.1% in 2025, up from 15.5% in 2024, with 13.34 million people affected, according to the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (Parity Welfare Association). The charity warned of a 'crisis-like situation' and urged the government not to cut social benefits.

Managing director Joachim Rock said further reductions in social spending would worsen the situation. 'Kürzungen würden vor allem jene treffen, die auf Hilfe angewiesen sind: Alleinerziehende, Alte, Kranke, Menschen mit Behinderungen, Geflüchtete sowie Kinder und Jugendliche,' he said.

The poverty threshold for a single person was €1,445 per month in 2025, defined as 60% of the national median net household income. Regional disparities widened sharply: poverty rates ranged from 12.6% in Bavaria to 27.5% in Bremen.

Poverty is becoming entrenched among older people, women and single parents. The poverty rate among people aged 65 and over stood at 19.5%, while among women over 75 it reached 21.3%. Single people faced a poverty risk of 30.3%, and single parents 28.9%.

Opposition parties and a senior CDU social politician criticized the government's austerity plans. CDU social politician Dennis Radtke, head of the party's workers' wing, warned: 'Sozialreformen dürfen nicht aus einer reinen Sparlogik heraus gestaltet werden.' He said the government must keep social cohesion in view during upcoming reforms to pensions, care, health and the labor market.

Linken-Fraktionschef Sören Pellmann called for a minimum wage of 15 euros and sufficient basic security. 'Gute Instrumente dagegen' were not being used, he said. Grünen-Fraktionschefin Britta Haßelmann called the report 'ein Armutszeugnis für die Bundesregierung,' citing cancelled BAföG reforms and half-hearted reform plans for care and health insurance as examples of ineffective action.