Working poor in Europe
German Economic Institute (IW)
The expansion of low wages has sparked a debate about the working poor in Germany. However, unemployment remains the most significant reason for becoming or remaining poor. (Re)integration of unemployed people into the labour market has therefore been the policy priority. Since reforms in 2005, more employed people have received supplementary welfare benefits and some people starting work may still receive the lower level of unemployment benefit.
The Reform of Old-Age Pension Systems in Germany
Concerns about the risk of poverty in old age have prompted a multitude of reform proposals, most of which aim to introduce additional redistributive elements into Germany’s statutory pension scheme.
IW
The Minimum Wage as a Means of Combating Income Poverty
Although raising Germany’s minimum wage to12 Euro in October 2022 had a noticeable effect on wage distribution, the effect on income poverty remained minimal.
IW