BERLIN

Around 17.6 million people in Germany were at risk of poverty or social exclusion last year, representing 21.2% of the population, the Federal Statistical Office said on Tuesday.

Compared to 2024, this proportion remained virtually stable (21.1 %).

According to the statistics, around 13.3 million people, or 16.1% of the population, had an income below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold. In the previous year, the figure was 15.5 %.

Based on the European Union's definition, a person is considered at risk of poverty if they have less than 60% of the median income of the total population.

For people living alone, this threshold was €1,446 net per month (2024: €1,381). For households with two adults and two children under the age of 14, it was €3,036 (2024: €2,900). The basis for this is annual income.

According to the statistical office, above-average rates of poverty risk were found among households of people living alone (30.9 %) and single parents (28.7%). The unemployed had the highest poverty risk rate at 64.9 %. However, other economically inactive persons (33.8%) and retired persons (19.1 %) were also affected at an above-average rate.

People are at risk of poverty or social exclusion if at least one of three conditions applies to them, according to the EU definition. This is the case if their income is below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold, if their household is affected by significant material and social deprivation, or if they live in a household with very low employment rates.