Strom und Gas: 3,8 Millionen Deutsche bei Energie in Zahlungsverzug
Die finanzielle Belastung durch Energie ist für viele Haushalte weiterhin spürbar. Vor allem Mieter haben häufiger Schwierigkeiten, ihre Rechnungen für Strom und Gas zu begleichen.
Germany saw nearly 3.8 million people living in households with unpaid utility bills last year, according to the Federal Statistical Office. This represented 4.6% of the population, up from 5% in 2024. The highest rates were among renters, at 5.8%, compared to 3.3% for homeowners. Utility costs have been slightly above average, rising 3.1% in August 2026 compared to the previous year, while overall consumer prices rose 2.9%.
Utility costs include water, waste disposal, cleaning, elevator maintenance, and other expenses. However, household energy prices fell 0.7% within the same year. Despite the high energy prices following the 2022 energy crisis, prices for electricity, gas, and heating oil remain high, the office said. High electricity prices are not an inevitable fate.
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