Alarming figures: 1.3 million people in Lower Saxony are at risk of poverty!

Alarming figures: 1.3 million people in Lower Saxony are at risk of poverty!

In Lower Saxony, poverty is an urgent issue that affects many people. Current figures show that around 1.3 million people were affected by relative income poverty in 2024. This puts the at-risk-of-poverty rate in the state at 16.6 percent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous year, reports regionalheute.de.

Who is particularly at risk? Single parents in particular are severely affected: their at-risk-of-poverty rate is an alarming 40.9 percent. This also has an impact on children: 20.1 percent of underage children and young people in Lower Saxony are at risk of poverty. The numbers show that families and single parents in particular are under great pressure.

Poverty risks by age group

A further look at the statistics reveals that young adults under the age of 25 are particularly often affected by poverty at 25.4 percent. But the older generation has not been spared either: 18.3 percent of those over 65 are at risk of poverty, an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. In addition, the group of 50 to 65 year olds is also experiencing an increase in poverty at 12.2 percent.

The risks of poverty also vary greatly depending on the household structure. Households with two adults and one child have a poverty rate of 8.3 percent, while couple households with three or more children reach 27.8 percent. In comparison, the poverty rate for single-person households is 28.8 percent, a significant figure that highlights the challenges faced by people living alone.

Migration background and level of education as influencing factors

A significant factor that influences the risk of poverty is the level of education. People with a low level of education are disproportionately affected: 31.5 percent of them are at risk of poverty. In contrast, the poverty rate among people with a high level of education is only 7.6 percent. The migration background also plays a role: While the at-risk-of-poverty rate for people without a migration background is 11.8 percent, it is 30.1 percent for those with a migration background bmfsfj.de reported.

Overall, there is a worrying picture of poverty in Lower Saxony. It is clear that poverty risk varies by household context, age and level of education, leaving many people vulnerable. The social differences are not just a numerical indictment, they also demand a rethink in society. A joint approach is required to overcome these challenges and offer support to those affected.