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Bottle collector: neediness is increasing
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / DPA
The state spends more and more on social assistance.
In 2019, the support payments totaled 13.5 billion euros, according to a government response to a request from the left in the Bundestag, which the German Press Agency has received.
In 2005 it was around 7.5 billion euros, ten years later it was 12.1 billion euros.
According to the federal government, expenditure includes net expenditure on assistance with living costs, basic security in old age and reduced earning capacity, assistance with health, assistance with care and assistance with overcoming particular social difficulties and in other life situations.
The largest item in 2019 was basic security for old age and reduced earning capacity at 6.9 billion euros.
The left-wing MP Sabine Zimmermann, who had made the request, told the dpa: "More and more people are in need of help." Pension or long-term care insurance are not able to provide comprehensive social security.
mik / dpa
