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Poverty in Germany at its highest since reunification


Luiz

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http://www.dw.de/poverty-in-germany-at-its-highest-since-reunification/a-18268757

in Germany is at it's highest since German reunification in 1990, according to a new study. Some 12.5 million Germans are now classified as poor.

 

Speaking in the German capital Berlin on Thursday, the chief executive of Germany's Equal Welfare Organization (paritätischem Wohlfahrtsverband), Ulrich Schneider, also warned that the gap between rich and poor states is growing ever-wider.
"Poverty has never been as high and the regional disunity has never run as deep," Schneider said in reference to the 25 years which have past since German reunification.
Within a year, poverty in Germany rose from 15 percent to 15.5 percent in 2013. The charity defines "poor" as people whose household earns 60 percent less than the average income.
According to the report, the states most affected by poverty are Bremen, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. At the other end of the scale are Baden-Württemburg and Bavaria - Germany's second and third richest states according to their GDP.
The only German states to see a small decline in poverty were the eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg.
"Overall the state ranking shows a ragged republic," Schneider said, adding that a significant increase in state welfare rates and a massive expansion of public employment would be necessary to combat the growing problem.
Last month in Berlin, German Labor Minister Andrea Nahles announced plans to create thousands of jobs for disadvantaged people in Germany.
The plan, which will use 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion) from the European Social Fund (ESF), plus 4.3 billion euros from within Germany, involves the creation of 26 programs in the country until 2020.
Almost 40 percent of the money will be invested in "the promotion of social integration and the battle against poverty," the Labor Ministry said.
The groups currently most at risk of poverty are the unemployed, single mothers and people without education.
Schneider pointed out on Thursday, however, that even poverty among Germany's pensioners is significantly increasing. Since 2006, the group has experienced a faster increase in poverty than any other.

 

 

I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.
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Tell me about it, i'm from Munich  :duck:

I'm living for the next 1 1/2 years in Bonn and i pay 400€ for a 21 square meters :air: 

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"adding that a significant increase in state welfare rates and a massive expansion of public employment"

That would only make problems worse... look at Greece.

"The groups currently most at risk of poverty are the unemployed, single mothers and people without education"

It's not hard to find employment in Germany if you try. There's always minimum wage jobs. And if you didn't get education it's mostly your own fault, considering it's free in Germany.

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I'm living for the next 1 1/2 years in Bonn and i pay 400€ for a 21 square meters :air:

 

I would be happy with that. I'm looking for a new Appartement, and it will cost me about 600 Euros for 15-20 qm  :smh:

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I would be happy with that. I'm looking for a new Appartement, and it will cost me about 600 Euros for 15-20 qm  :smh:

:Air: But Munich is in general famous for being expensive ,i think :flop: 

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Qualle1

Thank God I earn good money and will not suffer from "poverty among the elderly", when everything goes well...

MAKE LOVE NOT WAR
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Supersonic

I'm living for the next 1 1/2 years in Bonn and i pay 400€ for a 21 square meters :air:

400€ only? :air:

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Economy

"adding that a significant increase in state welfare rates and a massive expansion of public employment"

That would only make problems worse... look at Greece.

"The groups currently most at risk of poverty are the unemployed, single mothers and people without education"

It's not hard to find employment in Germany if you try. There's always minimum wage jobs. And if you didn't get education it's mostly your own fault, considering it's free in Germany.

minimum wage? But Germany doesnt have a minimum wage :huh:

Unless its a new thing and i just didnt hea about it

A decent minimum wage is such a good thing... I feel like having a decent minimum wage is better at fighting poverty than increasing welfare and taxing the rich more

Cause taxing the rich more will result in less entrepreneurship, less business investment and theres alwas those who abuse the welfare system then dont produce

On the otherhand, a higher minimum wage wont necessairily stop hiring because some positions simply have to be filled, prevents exploitation, and ppl actually have to work to get their money vs relying soley on social programs

Also, a higher minimum wage is preferable to higher taxes among many companies particularly industries where labor is a relatively small percentage of costs

U cant exagerate on minimum wage or u drive business away. But ive always believed in relatively high minimum wages (within reason). Here in Canada most Provinces have hiked it to around $11/h and jobs werent lost because of minimum wage hikes :yes:

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