Approximately one-sixth of Lower Saxony's residents are economically vulnerable. - Approximately one-sixth of Lower Saxony's population faces the threat of living in poverty.
In Lower Saxony, Germany, an alliance of associations, trade unions, and initiatives has presented a multi-faceted plan to address the rising issue of poverty. The alliance, concerned about the growing number of people, especially children and pensioners, struggling to make ends meet, has identified several key areas requiring immediate attention.
According to the latest statistics, over 1.3 million people in Lower Saxony are at risk of poverty, with the at-risk-of-poverty rate standing at 16.6% in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year. The situation is particularly concerning for young adults (18-25), with 25.4% of this demographic at risk of poverty. Women in Lower Saxony are also more likely to be at risk of poverty than men, with rates of 17.7% and 15.4% respectively.
People with a migration background in Lower Saxony are disproportionately affected by poverty, with a rate of 30.1% compared to 11.8% for those without a migration background.
The alliance's proposed solutions aim to tackle poverty from various angles. Debt relief programs are seen as crucial, with Lower Saxony already implementing initiatives to assist citizens facing financial hardship. The alliance also demands a wealth tax for "the very rich" in Lower Saxony, although specific income or asset levels for the targeted individuals have not been specified.
Affordable housing development is another key focus, with calls for increasing the supply of social and subsidized housing. Germany needs over a million new social housing units by 2030, and strategies that promote below-market rent portfolios and tenant-centric ESG frameworks are suggested to mitigate poverty linked to housing costs. The alliance demands at least 10,000 new social housing units per year in Lower Saxony.
The alliance also emphasizes the importance of enhancing welfare and social support systems for vulnerable families, especially those with children. Since children are disproportionately affected by poverty, efforts by organizations such as Kinderhilfswerk are ongoing.
Recognizing the challenges posed by climate change, the alliance is advocating for the integration of climate policy with social equity. Climate-neutral economic plans and social climate protection policies may indirectly support poverty reduction, as high energy costs can disproportionately impact low-income households.
The alliance has also called for free public transport for all residents of Lower Saxony, and the expansion of daycare places and full-day care for poor families. However, the alliance has not specified a timeline for the implementation of their proposed measures.
Managing Director Fabian Steenken of the alliance emphasizes that poverty is not fate, but the result of political decisions and therefore changeable. The alliance finds it unacceptable that children grow up in poverty and pensioners cannot afford their medication, underscoring the urgency of their proposed solutions.
While the State Poverty Conference specifically for Lower Saxony is not elaborated on in the search results, these thematic pillars reflect current strategies and policy discourses relevant to poverty reduction in the region and Germany in general. For precise detailed solutions from the State Poverty Conference, direct documents or reports from the conference would be required.
- The alliance's proposed solutions include measures within employment policy, aiming to provide more job opportunities and improve work conditions to reduce poverty levels in Lower Saxony.
- In their efforts to combat poverty, the alliance has highlighted the need for effective personal-finance and business policies, advocating for debt relief programs, wealth tax on the very rich, and promoting affordable housing developments.
- Recognizing the interplay between policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, the alliance has proposed integrating climate policy with social equity, while also emphasizing the need for fundraising and donations to support organizations like Kinderhilfswerk that aid poverty-stricken families, particularly those with children.
