Poverty in Germany has climbed to its highest level since comparable records began in 2020, according to an umbrella group for charitable organizations. The Parity Welfare Association reports that 13.34 million people, or 16.1% of the population, were living in poverty in 2025, citing data from the German Federal Statistics Office. The figure was up from 15.5% a year earlier.
The number has risen by about 1.2 million since a low in 2023, with the association warning of a 'crisis-like situation.' Managing director Joachim Rock urged the government not to cut social benefits, warning further reductions would worsen the situation.
Single parents and people living alone remain the most affected groups, while poverty rates are also above average among young adults aged 18 to 25 and people over 65. Regional disparities have widened further across Germany, with poverty rates varying sharply between states. Around one in eight people are affected in the wealthier southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, compared with more than one in five in Saxony-Anhalt and more than one in four in Bremen.
Under the EU definition, people are considered at risk of poverty if their household income is below 60% of the national median. In 2025, that threshold stood at €1,445 ($1,680) per month for a single person.
Meanwhile, new Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar is set to visit Berlin for his first official trip to Germany since taking office. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to receive him with military honors before talks and a joint press conference, with EU policy and support for Ukraine expected to dominate discussions.
Magyar came to power after his Tisza Party secured a two-thirds majority in April's elections, ending 16 years of rule by nationalist populist Viktor Orban. Since taking office, the 45-year-old has pledged sweeping reforms and a political reset. He has already visited Poland, Austria and EU and NATO leaders in Brussels.
Magyar on Monday said his government would begin steps to remove President Tamas Sulyok if he does not resign. Magyar has repeatedly called on Sulyok, appointed by Orban's party, to resign, referring to him as 'Orban's puppet.'
In other news, police are on the hunt for a suspect after a shooting in northern Germany that left a man in a life-threatening condition. Multiple people reported gunshots in an apartment building in the town of Buxtehude at 7:15 p.m. on Monday. Officers found the victim with serious gunshot wounds. The suspected attacker fled the scene and remained at large late into the evening. Authorities deployed a large police presence, sealing off parts of the city center and suspending public transport in the area.
Source: www.dw.com