The latest data from the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a concerning rise in child poverty, impacting the future prospects of a generation. In 2024, 15.2% of children and adolescents in Germany – approximately 2.2 million individuals – were at risk of poverty, marking a significant increase from 14.0% in 2023. This trend mirrors a broader societal issue, with the overall poverty rate also climbing to 15.5%. While this figure remains below the EU average of 19.3%, it highlights a deepening crisis requiring urgent attention.
The calculation of poverty risk, based on the EU-SILC methodology, defines it as having an income below 60% of the median net equivalent income. For a single person, this threshold was €1,381 per month in 2024, rising to €1,795 for a single-parent household with one child and €2,900 for a two-adult household with two children. Crucially, the data underscores a stark correlation between parental education levels and child poverty risk. Children whose parents have lower education levels – such as a secondary school diploma without vocational training – face a staggering 41.8% poverty risk. This disparity demonstrates how socioeconomic mobility is severely constrained by the opportunities, or lack thereof, available to parents.
Furthermore, children with an immigrant background are disproportionately affected. Those who themselves or whose parents immigrated to Germany experience poverty at a rate nearly four times higher than their peers without an immigrant history, signaling potential systemic failures in integration policies and equitable access to resources.
The report also illuminates the concept of ‘child-specific deprivation,’ affecting 11.3% of under-16s. This includes deprivation in critical areas such as accessing adequate furniture, affording a weekly vacation, participating in extracurricular activities, acquiring appropriate footwear and even enjoying basic social interactions like inviting friends for meals or celebrating birthdays. The fact that 19% of under-16s live in households unable to replace worn-out furniture emphasizes the material hardship endured by a significant portion of Germany’s youth.
Despite an overall child-specific deprivation rate below the EU average, the upward trend and the stark inequalities revealed within Germany’s society demand a thorough examination of existing social programs and a commitment to proactive measures. The current situation warrants a critical assessment of Germany’s social safety net and a renewed focus on policies that address the root causes of intergenerational poverty and promote genuine opportunity for all children, regardless of background or parental education. Failure to do so will further entrench inequality and compromise the future workforce and social fabric of the nation.
