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Germany. Young people have a problem with poverty. They cannot afford cars and apartments

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Poverty deprives young people of opportunities and affects one in four young adults in Germany, according to the “Youth Poverty Monitor in Germany”, published by the Federal Association for Work Social Catholic Youth (BAG KJS) in Düsseldorf.

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Terrible data for Germany. This is how young people live

In the age group 18-24 the at-risk-of-poverty rate in 2023 was 25 percent. Among people under 18, it was about 21 percent. The at-risk-of-poverty rate measures the percentage of the population who must live on less than 60 percent of the average income.

In 2023, the threshold for a person living alone in Germany, after deducting taxes and social security contributions, was EUR 1,310 per month. Throughout Germany, nearly 12 million people were at risk of poverty in 2023. According to the report, more than two-thirds of young Germans fear that they and their families will have to live in poverty.

Lots of concerns about where to live. “The situation has worsened”

The association emphasized that poverty causes great stress for young people. Every second vocational trainee and two thirds of students in Germany in 2023 will be considered “overburdened by housing costs”. This means that they had to spend more than 40 percent of their income on them. 40 percent of all homeless people in centers in 2024 were under the age of 25.

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“The situation has gotten worse,” said Matthias Marienfeld, former manager of the Don-Bosco-Club in the Mülheim district of Cologne. The association started by organizing recreational and educational activities for children, and now it also offers accommodation for young homeless people. – We are just a response to an existing need – said Marienfeld.

In the report, BAG KJS demanded that significant progress be made in the construction of social housing throughout Germany. It also suggested the creation of citizens' forums or similar formats that would allow people in poverty to participate in urban planning.

Difficult mobility. Everything is getting more expensive

Traveling is also a big challenge for poor young people in Germany, the report said. Prices buying a bike or getting one driving license have increased significantly in recent years. The Deutschlandticket has made local public transport more affordable. However, the fact that the ticket is currently only available in digital form excludes those without mobile phones or bank accounts.

The association also criticized the recent increase in the ticket price to €58 per month and called for the introduction of a nationwide youth ticket. It should be free or at least much cheaper. In rural regions, local transport services need to be expanded.

Structural consequences of poverty. What about the elections?

Apart from the material aspects, poverty has far-reaching consequences – warned BAG KJS. They concern, among others, education and health of young people. – They must learn to give up development opportunities at an early age – said the president of the association, Stefan Ottersbach. People who have to support their family financially have less time for their own education.

According to experts, there are also often large gaps in media literacy and financial knowledge. Structural disadvantage is one of the reasons why poor young people lose trust in democracy. The association emphasized that people at risk of poverty are less likely to vote.

Basic protection for young people. Huge money in the background

According to Ottersbach, a national strategy to combat youth poverty is needed and he called for the introduction of a basic income for children and young people. The previous coalition government of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP included basic income support for children in the coalition agreement. However, due to the collapse of the government, the bill was never passed.

– The numbers confirm that even under the governments of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP, no progress has been made on the issue of child poverty, commented Heidi Reichinnek, the main candidate of the Left Party in the Bundestag elections. In addition to basic income support, “huge investments in day care centers and schools” are also needed, the politician added. For the report, BAG KJS analyzed available data from the Federal Statistical Office and various surveys.

The article comes from Deutsche Welle.



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