Rising Poverty Among Germany’s Elderly Fuels Calls for Rights-Based Welfare Reform
Berlin – A surge in poverty risk among Germany’s senior citizens is intensifying pressure on the government to prioritize human rights as it embarks on a major welfare state overhaul. New data reveals the percentage of individuals aged 65 and older at risk of poverty has nearly doubled in less than two decades, climbing from 11 percent in 2005 to over 20 percent in 2023, according to Destatis, the Federal Statistical Office.
The growing economic hardship is forcing many elderly Germans to make challenging choices. “The support from the government simply isn’t enough. life is expensive. At home I stay under a blanket and drink tea, coffee, or soup to stay warm. There’s not much else to do,” a 71-year-old woman in North-Rhine westphalia shared wiht aid workers at a local food bank.
Concerns extend beyond inadequate benefit levels to the complexity of accessing existing support. applying for assistance programs like Citizen’s Income, supplemental child allowance, or retirement pensions can be a “labyrinthine” process, as reported by T-Online.
Advocates argue the German government is legally obligated to uphold the right to social security and an adequate standard of living, principles enshrined in both international law and the nation’s constitution. As the recently established Welfare State Commission – comprising representatives from nine federal ministries, states, and municipalities – begins its deliberations, calls are mounting for a human rights framework to guide the legislative debate.
Experts emphasize the need to assess whether current social security payments genuinely meet the requirements of an adequate standard of living,rather than simply adhering to a minimum subsistence level calculation. Evidence from individuals experiencing poverty, research conducted by civil society organizations like Der Paritätische, and a government-commissioned study on nutrition at the minimum subsistence level all indicate current levels are insufficient.
A recent report by the Nationale Armutskonferenz (national Anti-poverty Conference) further underscores these concerns. Critics warn that welfare cuts and stricter penalties for non-compliance will exacerbate the problem, leaving more Germans without a decent standard of living.
