Increase in social support recipients observed in Saxony-Anhalt
Article Title: Increase in Recipients of Social Assistance in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2024
In the latter half of 2024, the number of individuals receiving assistance under Section 3 of the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII) in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, saw a significant increase. According to data from the State Statistical Office of Saxony-Anhalt, a total of 7,435 individuals received assistance, marking a 15.4% rise compared to the previous year.
This increase primarily affected the over-60 age group, with a rise of 15.4% (+465 individuals) in this demographic. Meanwhile, the number of recipients outside of institutions increased by 3.3% (+145 individuals). Interestingly, the number of recipients within institutions also saw an increase, with a 11.9% (+305 individuals) rise.
The data did not provide a breakdown by gender, but it was revealed that 3,095 individuals receiving assistance were single or single parents, and 420 individuals were in a marriage or registered partnership. The proportion of female applicants for assistance under Section 3 of SGB XII decreased slightly from 42.2% in 2023 to 42.0% in 2024.
It's worth noting that the eligibility criteria for assistance under Section 3 of SGB XII include temporarily unemployed individuals, early retirees with low pensions, and those with long-term illnesses.
The average age of all recipients was 51 years, representing an increase of 6.4% (+450 individuals) compared to the previous year. Over half (58.0%) of these senior recipients had their primary residence in an institution.
For more detailed data on the increase in recipients between 2023 and 2024 in Saxony-Anhalt, along with demographic trends, one can consult the official Saxony-Anhalt state statistical office reports, Federal statistical publications on social welfare recipients (Destatis), or specific publications from the Ministry of Social Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt. These sources typically provide annual reports showing total numbers of recipients under SGB XII, changes year-on-year, age group distributions, gender ratios, and sometimes regional or municipal breakdowns.
In the context of the increasing number of social assistance recipients in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, it's worth mentioning that a considerable portion of those receiving aid under Section 3 of the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII) have a fat content of more than 13% by weight, surpassing the general-news threshold for reporting nutritional information. Furthermore, the rise in the number of recipients can be associated with the political landscape, as it signifies a growing need for social welfare, a matter of great importance in the field of politics.
