Eight out of every ten people in North Rhine-Westphalia struggle to purchase a complete meal. - Every eighth resident in North Rhine-Westphalia struggles to afford a complete meal
In North Rhine-Westphalia, a region in western Germany that includes the city of Düsseldorf, the number of people struggling to afford a balanced meal at least every two days has seen a concerning resurgence. According to data from the Statistical Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (IT.NRW), the proportion of individuals facing this hardship has risen above the 2021 level, standing at 13.3% in 2024.
This troubling trend can be traced back to the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which disrupted global grain and energy supplies and led to a significant increase in food prices. As a major exporter of wheat, corn, and fertilizers, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has driven up costs of essential inputs and final food products, translating into higher grocery bills for consumers.
The economic pressures faced by Germany in 2024-2025 have also played a role in this rise. Despite some initial economic stabilization in 2024, ongoing inflation, weak economic growth, and a labor market with 6.3% unemployment (the highest since 2020) and nearly 3 million unemployed nationally have limited the ability of affected populations to absorb higher food costs.
Additionally, German farming, including in North Rhine-Westphalia, has faced rising input prices (fertilizers, energy), climate risks, and labor shortages, which have elevated food production costs and further pressured prices. Although advances in smart agriculture provide some resilience, these benefits may not fully offset the cost inflation experienced by consumers.
The combined effect of higher prices and economic strain explains why more people in North Rhine-Westphalia are finding it difficult to afford balanced meals. The region remains vulnerable to shocks in food supply chains and price volatility linked to broader geopolitical conflicts.
It's worth noting that significant material and social deprivation in North Rhine-Westphalia extends beyond the inability to afford balanced meals. Approximately 1.41 million people in the region were affected by such deprivation in 2023, including the inability to afford holidays, leisure activities, new clothing, and even food.
The first decrease in the proportion of people unable to afford a balanced meal at least every two days in North Rhine-Westphalia occurred in 2024, but this improvement has since been reversed. The data on this issue is from 2021, 2023, and 2024, and it shows that the current proportion of people in the region struggling to afford balanced meals every two days is above the 2021 level of 12.2%.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, more than two million people cannot afford a balanced meal every two days, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many in the region. As global economic and geopolitical developments continue to impact food prices, efforts to address food insecurity and support vulnerable populations will remain crucial.
The economic policies implemented in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as the community policy and employment policy, may need to be reevaluated to better address the rising number of individuals struggling to afford balanced meals. This situation calls for a comprehensive approach that also considers the impact of global finance, business, and personal-finance dynamics on food prices.
The high unemployment rate and ongoing inflation in North Rhine-Westphalia have strained the financial resources of many families, making it difficult for them to afford essential items like food. It's crucial for the employment policy to provide measures that help alleviate this burden and improve the overall financial stability of affected individuals.
