Data from Eurostat reveals that approximately 3.2 million elderly Germans aged 65 and over are at risk of poverty, according to the German news agency dpa.

The number has remained relatively stable in recent years, with 3.245 million seniors affected in 2023 compared to 3.157 million in 2022. This, however, stands in contrast to 2013, when only 2.4 million elderly individuals in Germany were at risk of poverty.

Poverty risk is defined as having an income below 60 percent of the median after social benefits.

Germany’s elderly population has grown significantly over the years, rising from 12 million in 1991 to 18.7 million in 2022. This demographic shift means seniors now make up a larger share of the population, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

The issue of elderly poverty has intensified debates over pension reform in the country, with German political parties sharply divided on potential solutions. According to dpa, major changes are unlikely to occur before the formation of a new government.

Germany’s elderly population has grown significantly over the years, rising from 12 million in 1991 to 18.7 million in 2022.