Germany's Poverty Rate Increases by 45% Since 1992

Germany's poverty rate has risen from 11.9% in 1992 to 17.3% in 2024, a 45% increase, according to a WSI report. This rise is attributed to state redistribution not keeping pace with middle incomes during the economically strong 2010s. Income inequality has also increased, with the Gini coefficient rising from 0.252 to 0.307. The proportion of households in severe poverty doubled, while the lower middle class shrank. High-income households saw a slight increase, and very high-income households grew significantly, indicating income polarization.