Every fourth child in Germany is dependent on state benefits: reasons and consequences

The problem of minors' dependence on state support in Germany

In Germany, there is a critically high level of dependence of minors on state support. According to the Federal Ministry of Labor and the Federal Employment Agency, as of mid-2025, about every fourth child (approximately 24.5% of all individuals under 18) lives in households that receive social benefits. This was reported by

'Hlavkom'

citing Bild.

Different forms of social support for minors in Germany

In total, 3.42 million children and adolescents in Germany depend on various forms of social support. The main categories of assistance include:

• Bürgergeld (unemployment benefit): 1.81 million minors.
• Kinderzuschlag (child supplement): 1.3 million children.
• Asylbewerberleistungen (assistance for asylum seekers): 136,000 children.
• Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt (livelihood assistance): 23,000 children.

Reasons for the high level of dependence on state support

The Federal Employment Agency has identified the strong influx of migrants in recent years as the main reason for such high numbers. Many migrant families are initially forced to rely on state support, as the process of settling into the labor market often takes several years.

Negative consequences of dependence on social benefits

Of the 1.81 million children receiving Bürgergeld, 854,000 are not German citizens. Economist Bernd Raffelhüschen from the University of Freiburg warns about serious side problems caused by this experience of dependence on benefits.

‘If many children grow up with the experience of dependence on social benefits, it leads to serious side problems’ – notes Raffelhüschen.

State support is necessary, but the high level of dependence of minors on social benefits can have negative consequences for society, particularly causing serious problems related to economic and social aspects of life.