Poverty Conference

There are different definitions and measures of poverty. In wealthy countries like Germany, poverty is not defined in terms of direct need such as hunger or homelessness. Absolute poverty is less common in a welfare state. Relative poverty, on the other hand, affects many people in Germany as well, because their income is barely sufficient to participate in social life.

Anyone who has less than 60 percent of the average net household income to live on each month is considered to be at risk of poverty according to the EU definition. According to  the Federal Statistical Office (opens in a new tab), this threshold in Germany was 1251 euros net per month for a person living alone, and 2627 euros net per month for two adults with two children under 14.

Households that fall below this threshold are entitled to state social benefits. Those who receive assistance usually earn too little money or receive too little pension to be able to support themselves on their own. Those who can afford little have fewer opportunities to participate. The low social status also affects the perception of health and life expectancy.

Another problem is that many people living in poverty do not seek help. The reasons for this hidden poverty are manifold: shame, excessive demands, ignorance or pride. This has structural consequences for the welfare state: These people fall through the “cracks,” receive no support and have no chance for change.

Poverty in Germany has increased significantly over the past decade. These are among the findings of the Distribution Report 2022 published by the Hans Böckler Foundation’s  Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) (opens in a new tab).

Particularly at risk of poverty are the sick and the elderly, low-income earners and the unemployed, large families and single parents, and migrants. Social welfare organizations are particularly critical of the risk of poverty among children and young people in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 16.2 percent of minors were at risk of poverty in 2021.

Old-age poverty is also a social challenge. This is because those affected can no longer improve their situation th Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) (opens in a new tab).

Particularly at risk of poverty are the sick and the elderly, low-income earners and the unemployed, large families and single parents, and migrants. Social welfare organizations are particularly critical of the risk of poverty among children and young people in Germany.  According to the Federal Statistical Office, 16.2 percent of minors were at risk of poverty in 2021. (opens in a new tab)

Old-age poverty is also a social challenge. This is because those affected can no longer improve their situation through their own efforts. Experience shows: Older people in particular hide their poverty and do not seek support because the shame is too great.

Poverty has many consequences for those affected and for society. These include health problems, lack of education, social isolation or discrimination. Material deprivation, social exclusion and low opportunities are interrelated and influence each other.

Many do not manage to escape poverty and remain marginalized throughout their lives. As a result, poverty is inherited and affects equal opportunities for future generations.

Various policy measures are therefore needed to prevent poverty and enable participation. They range from basic security to vocational qualification and access to healthy food.

Germany is diverse. Depending on the region, people have more or less access to education, work, health, culture, mobility or digitization. According to the Basic Law, they are entitled to  “equal living conditions (opens in a new tab). A good and self-determined life in the city and in the countryside is of central importance for social cohesion.

The provision and financing of infrastructure is a joint task of the federal, state and local governments. The federal law on spatial planning specifies this with guidelines. The federal states are responsible for spatial planning. The Länder financial equalization system ensures that even financially weak Länder can fulfill their tasks.

Themunicipalities play a central role in creating equal living conditions, because they know the living conditions of their inhabitants best and can develop tailor-made solutions on site. Strategic social planning plays an important role in this. The basis for this planning is municipal social reporting. This analysis provides data on the social situation in the individual city districts and neighborhoods.

The results enable measures to be taken that are geared to the needs of local people. For example, the municipality can offer its own services or social offerings. Or it commissions non-profit agencies in the municipality, which then receive municipal subsidies.

Strategic social planning is a cross-sectiona “equal living conditions (opens in a new tab). A good and self-determined life in the city and in the countryside is of central importance for social cohesion.

The provision and financing of infrastructure is a joint task of the federal, state and local governments. The  federal law on spatial planning (opens in a new tab) specifies this with guidelines. The federal states are responsible for spatial planning. The  Länder financial equalization (opens in a new tab) system ensures that even financially weak Länder can fulfill their tasks.

The municipalities play a central role in creating equal living conditions (opens in a new tab), because they know the living conditions of their inhabitants best and can develop tailor-made solutions on site. Strategic social planning plays an important role in this. The basis for this planning is municipal social reporting. This analysis provides data on the social situation in the individual city districts and neighborhoods.

The results enable measures to be taken that are geared to the needs of local people. For example, the municipality can offer its own services or social offerings. Or it commissions non-profit agencies in the municipality, which then receive municipal subsidies.

 Strategic social planning is a cross-sectional task - it is based on the moderation and cooperation of administration, politics, business and civil society.

The  Statistical Office of the state capital Stuttgart (opens in a new tab) provided the following information for 2020: In the city district of Stuttgart, 8.2 percent of all residents needed state support to make ends meet. In the Stuttgart region, this rate was 5.1 percent and in Baden-Württemberg 5.3 percent. As a major city, Stuttgart is particularly affected by poverty.

More than 50,000 Stuttgart residents were dependent on social benefits in 2020. This means that these people needed support from the city and were also entitled to the  Stuttgart Bonuscard. The Bonuscard is a voluntary service provided by the city for people who are dependent on state benefits.

 According to the Federal Statistical Office, more than 12 million people in Germany were at risk of poverty in 2022. (opens in a new tab) This corresponds to 14.7 percent of the German population. In addition, 5.1 million people in Germany were affected by considerable material and social deprivation.

The city of Stuttgart coordinates, moderates and supports the interaction of a wide variety of actors in the fight against poverty. The common strategy is to counter poverty, enable participation and eliminate exclusion. The living conditions of Stuttgart residents are to be improved and poverty is to be prevented. This is achieved through social services and voluntary municipal services in the city districts.

An important partner of the state capital is the Stuttgart Welfare League. Foundations, initiatives and civic commitment also contribute to the fight against poverty in Stuttgart. The prerequisite is that the assistance offered must strengthen people and help them to shape their lives in a self-determined manner.

The importance of municipalities in the fight against poverty is also recognized by the United Nations. The  UN 2030 Agenda (opens in a new tab)for Sustainable Development emphasizes the key role of municipalities worldwide in implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Since 2018, the city of Stuttgart has been guided by the 2030 Agenda, whose first goal is “No Poverty.” The number of people in poverty, measured by national definitions, is to be at least halved.