Germany – Increase in poverty in old age

In the country North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, fewer and fewer people are able to live on their pension. Those who cannot live with the pension manage to make an application for € 364 basic security. In addition -if necessary- they ask for housing benefit.
In 2010 there were already 204.279 pensioners. That are 4,7% more than in 2009. The tendancy is rising. Nationwide, in the future, every 5th employed person in his age could be threatened by poverty.
There are more women than men who are exposed to poverty in old age. In percentage terms it is 57%. Reasons for the low pensions are low-wage employment or unemployment.

(Ute Schmitz – November 2011)

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