Expenditure Rises Sharply – Social Welfare Costs 21.5 Billion Euros
Social welfare expenditure rose by 6.1 percent in 2025. Costs for care assistance increased particularly sharply, rising by 13.3 percent to six billion euros.
Social welfare expenditure in Germany rose significantly in 2025. Social welfare providers paid a net total of around 21.5 billion euros, representing an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the previous year, the Federal Statistical Office announced.
The largest single item remained basic income support for older people and those with reduced earning capacity. A total of 11.8 billion euros was spent on this, 2.9 percent more than in 2024. Its share of total social welfare expenditure fell for the third consecutive year, however, standing at 54.9 percent. The standard benefit rates had not been increased at the start of 2025 for the first time since 2011.
Six Billion Euros for Care Assistance
Expenditure on care assistance increased considerably more sharply. It rose by 13.3 percent to six billion euros, meaning that 27.8 percent of total social welfare expenditure was allocated to this area. This share also increased for the third consecutive year.
A total of 1.7 billion euros was spent on subsistence assistance, 4.4 percent more than in the previous year. A further two billion euros went towards assistance with healthcare and overcoming particular social difficulties, among other areas.
The statistics cover benefits under the Twelfth Book of the Social Code. Expenditure on the Bürgergeld citizen's benefit is not included.
