Staatsausgaben: Staat zahlt erneut mehr für Sozialhilfe

In the previous year, German government spending on social welfare increased by approximately six percent, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The net amount paid out was 21.5 billion euros. This figure pertains to benefits under the Twelfth Book of the Social Code, which includes basic security in old age and benefits for those with reduced earning capacity. Around 55 percent of the money went to this category each year, the same as in previous years.

Spending on basic security in old age and for people with reduced earning capacity rose by almost 2.9 percent to 11.8 billion euros. However, its share of the total social welfare expenditure decreased for the third consecutive year. The net spending on care assistance rose by 13.3 percent to six billion euros, indicating a third year of growth, now accounting for 27.8 percent of the total social welfare outlays.

Payment for means-tested benefits amounted to 1.7 billion euros, a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year. Here too, its share of the total social welfare spending fell for the third year in a row, down to 8.0 percent.