Multitudes of Children in Germany Face Impasse due to Poverty
In a troubling development, Sabine Zimmermann, the labor market policy spokeswoman of the Left Party in the Bundestag, has expressed her concerns about the high number of children living in poverty in Germany. According to a report by the "New Osnabruecker Zeitung", Zimmermann's concerns are backed by data from the federal government's response to her request.
The report reveals that one out of every five children and young people in Germany lives in a household at risk of poverty. This number has been on the rise, with the poverty risk rate for children and young people increasing from 20.1% in 2018 to 20.5% in 2019. This is a significant jump from the 2010 rate of 18.2%.
The data, based on the microcensus, shows that households earning less than 60% of the median income in Germany are considered at risk of poverty. As a result, approximately 2.8 million children and young people in Germany are living in such households.
Zimmermann, who believes it is shameful for one of the richest countries in the world to have such a high number of children living in poverty, has demanded the introduction of an independent children's basic security. She has also called for benefits for children to be increased.
The current pandemic situation is a factor contributing to Zimmermann's concerns. She expects the situation of children in poverty to worsen further this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Zimmermann has stated that there won't be a generous and carefree Christmas for many children in Germany due to their financial situations.
Zimmermann's statements were made to the "New Osnabruecker Zeitung". The reported data comes from the federal government's response to a request from Zimmermann. However, the search results do not provide a specific current number of children and adolescents living in federal states that receive the federal child benefit program (Kindesgeld).
Despite these challenges, Zimmermann remains hopeful and continues to advocate for the rights and well-being of children in Germany. Her demands include increasing benefits for children and introducing an independent children's basic security. The situation of children in poverty in Germany remains a matter of concern for Zimmermann and many others.
