German social welfare agencies spent a net total of 20.2 billion euros on social assistance benefits under the SGB XII in 2024, according to data released Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This represents a 14.8 percent increase compared to the previous year, with significant rises observed across all categories of social welfare provision.
The largest portion of these expenditures – 56.5 percent – was allocated to basic security for the elderly and persons with reduced earning capacity. Financed entirely through federal reimbursements to the states, these benefits totaled 11.4 billion euros in 2024, a 13.3 percent increase year-on-year, as stated by the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs.
Net expenditures for assistance with care rose by 17.7 percent to 5.3 billion euros. Support for securing livelihoods amounted to 1.6 billion euros, marking an 11.1 percent increase from the previous year. Assistance relating to health, overcoming specific social difficulties and aid in other life situations collectively totaled 1.9 billion euros, a substantial 19.4 percent increase over 2023 levels.
Benefits previously covered under SGB XII’s integration assistance for people with disabilities and those at risk of disability were transferred to the SGB IX under the Federal Participation Act (BTHG) on January 1, 2020. Consequently, expenditures for integration assistance are now tracked separately. In 2024, a total of 28.7 billion euros in net funds were allocated to integration assistance benefits, representing a 12.9 percent increase compared to the previous year.
