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6h ago

Germany’s Social Assistance Costs Surge 14.8% to €20.2 Billion

Indexed inflation benefits plus higher care wages have driven SGB XII spending to record highs in basic old-age security, with nursing assistance also surging.

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Die Zahl der pflegebedürftigen Menschen, die Sozialhilfe erhalten, nimmt zu.

Overview

  • Official data show that Germany’s social assistance outlays under SGB XII rose by 14.8% in 2024, reaching €20.2 billion.
  • Basic security for the elderly and those with reduced earning capacity accounted for €11.4 billion—56.5% of total spending—and climbed 13.3% year-on-year.
  • Net expenditures on nursing and care assistance increased by 17.7% to €5.3 billion as care sector wages rose.
  • The published SGB XII figures exclude jobseeker support under SGB II, while integration assistance under SGB IX was reported separately at €28.7 billion, up 12.9%.
  • Policymakers attribute the spending jump to inflation indexing and higher minimum wages for care staff and are considering measures such as offering migrant benefits as interest-free loans.