Sozialausgaben: Zahl der Haushalte mit Wohngeld und Ausgaben dafür gestiegen

Wiesbaden - The number of households receiving housing benefits and the associated expenses reached a 20-year high in 2025, according to the German Statistical Office. Government spending on housing benefits increased by more than 6 percent within a year, from nearly 4.7 billion to nearly 5 billion euros. The number of households receiving housing benefits rose by 7.2 percent, or about 90,000 more households compared to the previous year.

This marks the highest values since the series began in 2005. Housing benefits are provided to low-income households to help them afford adequate housing. The eligibility amount depends on income, housing costs, and the number of household members. The increases last year were due to legally prescribed, scheduled adjustments to reflect price and rent developments.

The Statistical Office noted that Schleswig-Holstein had the highest percentage increase in housing benefit households at 12.9 percent compared to the previous year, while Berlin had the smallest increase at 1.7 percent.