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Paying at the weekly market: Who is affected by inflation?
Photo: Moritz Frankenberg / dpa
Depending on the composition of a household, there are very different expenses - accordingly, inflation does not affect everyone equally.
According to the latest calculations by the institute for macroeconomics and business cycle research (IMK), which is close to the trade unions, the burden is currently highest for childless couples with middle incomes.
Measured against the usual shopping baskets for these households, prices rose by 5.0 percent in January and thus more than the general inflation of 4.9 percent, write the IMK researchers.
It found that inflation hit high-income singles the least in January, with prices up just 4.2 percent for this group.
For singles with low, middle and higher incomes, the rates of 4.4 to 4.7 percent in January were slightly below the general price increase.
The household-specific shopping basket rose by 4.9 percent for families with two children and low or middle incomes, and by 4.7 percent for families with higher incomes.
For single parents with one child and middle income, the inflation rate was 4.8 percent.
The inflation rate in Germany was 4.9 percent in January compared to the previous year and thus slightly lower than last December (5.3 percent).
For the IMK inflation monitor, the IMK researchers determined the typical consumption patterns for eight different households, which differ in terms of the number of people and income.
When calculating for December, families with children and middle-income couples in particular emerged as the most heavily burdened.
»Households with low income have a special problem«
However, since household energy has recently become much more expensive, its impact on inflation has increased noticeably compared to December.
At the same time, fuel prices are no longer as important as before, the researchers write.
If inflation in heating costs and electricity continues as expected, this should weigh more heavily on the poor.
"Basically, households with low income have a particular problem with high inflation." Because they mainly buy essential everyday goods and have little leeway to maintain their consumption level by resorting to savings.
Due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the IMK sees major risks for the coming months, particularly with regard to gas prices.
"If the suppliers were to pass on the gas prices listed on the futures markets for 2022 in full to their customers, that would mean a doubling of the gas prices and an increase in the inflation rate by around 2.5 percentage points," warned IMK expert Silke Tober.
Since a speedy normalization of international gas prices is no longer in sight, the federal government should take countermeasures to avert social hardship and a dampener on the economy.
The early abolition of the EEG surcharge, which has already been discussed, makes sense, but is not enough if gas prices explode.
The IMK advocates a temporary reduction in VAT on energy and also proposes temporarily capping the price of a basic requirement for households that heat and/or cook with gas.
Fire letter to the Chancellor
Leading social organizations have also called for additional support for people who live on basic security due to rising prices and additional costs related to corona.
“It is high time to take countermeasures against poverty,” says a published letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and several ministers.
One sees "with great concern" that the immediate surcharge for children affected by poverty is a long time coming "and so far no steps have been taken to support all recipients of basic security benefits," says the letter.
"It can't be that the poorest of all people are left behind again."
The immediate surcharge agreed by the SPD, Greens and FDP is intended to benefit recipients of Hartz IV, social assistance or child allowance until the coalition implements its more comprehensive project of basic child security.
Federal Family Minister Anne Spiegel (Greens) had promised the immediate award at the end of January for the "next months".
The letter signed, among others, the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband, the Sozialverband VdK, Tafel Deutschland, the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB), the German Child Protection Association and the German Children's Fund.
mmq/Reuters/dpa