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NRW Reports Nearly 2 Million on Social Minimum Support as Ruhr-Area Dependence Stays High

The statewide share held at 11.1% in 2024, IT.NRW says.

Overview

  • IT.NRW reports that nearly 2 million residents received minimum benefits at end-2024, with more than 1.55 million on Bürgergeld after a year-over-year decline of about 6,000.
  • Basic security in old age or due to reduced earning capacity rose further to roughly 321,000 statewide, with Duisburg hitting a new high of 10,245 after eight consecutive annual increases.
  • Asylum-seeker benefit rolls fell by about 15,100 to 88,555 across NRW, and Duisburg counted just 1,130 recipients, its lowest level since 2012.
  • Duisburg’s dependence eased to 16.8%—84,202 people including 71,734 on Bürgergeld—with stark disparities as 35% of foreign nationals relied on benefits versus 11.1% of Germans.
  • The federal coalition plans to rename Bürgergeld to Grundsicherung and impose stricter cooperation duties with tougher sanctions for repeated missed Jobcenter appointments.