Germany news: Poverty rises to new high, charity group says

Germany news: Poverty rises to new high, charity group says June 2, 2026What you need to know - Poverty in Germany climbs to its highest level since 2020, a charity umbrella group says - Figures show that over 16% of the population could be defined as living in poverty - New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar is making his inaugural visit to Berlin - A man is on the run from police after a shooting in the northern town of Buxtehude Here are the latest headlines from and about Germany on Tuesday, June 2, 2026: Poverty in Germany rises to highest level in five years Poverty in Germany has climbed to its highest level since comparable records began in 2020, according to an umbrella group for charitable organizations. The Parity Welfare Association reports that 13.34 million people, or 16.1% of the population, were living in poverty in 2025, citing data from the German Federal Statistics Office. The figure was up from 15.5% a year earlier. The number has risen by about 1.2 million since a low in 2023, with the association warning of a "crisis-like situation." Managing director Joachim Rock urged the government not to cut social benefits, warning further reductions would worsen the situation. Single parents and people living alone remain the most affected groups, while poverty rates are also above average among young adults aged 18 to 25 and people over 65. Regional disparities have widened further across Germany, with poverty rates varying sharply between states. Around one in eight people are affected in the wealthier southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, compared with more than one in five in Saxony-Anhalt and more than one in four in Bremen. Under the EU definition, people are considered at risk of poverty if their household income is below 60% of the national median. In 2025, that threshold stood at €1,445 ($1,680) per month for a single person. Hungarian PM Magyar visits Berlin for talks New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar is set to visit Berlin for his first official trip to Germany since taking office. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to receive him with military honors before talks and a joint press conference, with EU policy and support for Ukraine expected to dominate discussions. Magyar came to power after his Tisza Party secured a two-thirds majority in April's elections, ending 16 years of rule by nationalist populist Viktor Orban. Since taking office, the 45-year-old has pledged sweeping reforms and a political reset. He has already visited Poland, Austria and EU and NATO leaders in Brussels. Magyar on Monday said his government would begin steps to remove President Tamas Sulyok if he does not resign. Magyar has repeatedly called on Sulyok, appointed by Orban's party, to resign, referring to him as "Orban's puppet." Man critically injured in shooting in Buxtehude Police are on the hunt for a suspect after a shooting in northern Germany that left a man in a life-threatening condition. Multiple people reported gunshots in an apartment building in the town of Buxtehude at 7:15 p.m. on Monday. Officers found the victim with serious gunshot wounds. The suspected attacker fled the scene and remained at large late into the evening. Authorities deployed a large police presence, sealing off parts of the city center and suspending public transport in the area. Armed officers secured the scene as additional units from nearby districts were called in. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear. Welcome to our coverage Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn. You join us as a charity group reports that poverty in Germany is creeping up. More than 13 million people are living in poverty, according to figures cited by the Parity Welfare Association. Stick with us here for this and more of what Germany is talking about today.