Germany increases investment in social spending

State social spending increased by 80% in Germany. General spending on various social benefits in 2005 was about 7,500 million euros (8,890 million dollars). Ten years later it was 12,100 million and in 2019 it was 13,500 million euros, indicated the authorities of the Government of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The expenses taken into account include social support for maintenance, for basic security in old age and partial disability, as well as health subsidies, for the care of dependents, to overcome certain specific social situations and in other areas of life.

The most important item in 2019, with 6.9 billion euros, was that of basic security in old age and partial disability. Left-wing deputy Sabine Zimmermann told dpa that “more and more people need help.” Pension or assistance insurance cannot guarantee complete social security, she considered.

For his part, the social policy spokesman for the Liberal Party (FDP) parliamentary group, Pascal Kober, called for “more offers of professional qualifications and more intense support for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.”

He added that only if welfare state spending is focused on poverty prevention and professional qualification will it be possible to control it.

Source: dpa