A quarter of all children in Berlin lives in poverty: hardly any positive changes in recent years

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Ein Viertel aller Kinder in Berlin lebt in Armut. Das geht aus den Zahlen des Senats hervor, die auf eine Anfrage der Linke-Abgeordneten Katrin Seidel zurückgehen. Ende 2022 gab es in Berlin insgesamt 632.890 Menschen unter 18 Jahren, davon waren 154.889 in Familien, die auf Sozialleistungen angewiesen waren. Das entspricht einem Anteil von 24,5 Prozent. Laut Seidel hat es in den vergangenen Jahren kaum positive Veränderungen bei der Kinderarmut gegeben. Dies sei erschütternd. Die Zahlen zur Kinderarmut unterscheiden sich erheblich zwischen den verschiedenen Bezirken Berlins. Der Bezirk Neukölln hat mit 37,9 Prozent den höchsten Anteil an Kindern, die in Sozialleistungen …
A quarter of all children in Berlin lives in poverty. This emerges from the figures of the Senate, which go back to a request from the left-wing MPs Katrin Seidel. At the end of 2022 there were a total of 632,890 people under the age of 18 in Berlin, of which 154,889 were in families who were dependent on social benefits. This corresponds to a share of 24.5 percent. According to Seidel, there have been hardly any positive changes in child poverty in recent years. This is shattering. The figures on child poverty differ significantly between the various districts of Berlin. At 37.9 percent, the Neukölln district has the highest proportion of children in social benefits ... (Symbolbild/MB)

A quarter of all children in Berlin lives in poverty. This emerges from the figures of the Senate, which go back to a request from the left-wing MPs Katrin Seidel. At the end of 2022 there were a total of 632,890 people under the age of 18 in Berlin, of which 154,889 were in families who were dependent on social benefits. This corresponds to a share of 24.5 percent. According to Seidel, there have been hardly any positive changes in child poverty in recent years. This is shattering.

The figures on child poverty differ significantly between the various districts of Berlin. With 37.9 percent, the Neukölln district has the highest proportion of children who live in social benefits. Middle follows just behind with 35.2 percent. In Spandau it is 33.5 percent and 30.4 percent in Reinickendorf. In comparison, Steglitz-Zehlendorf with 11.4 percent, Pankow with 11.5 percent and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf are significantly lower with 17.6 percent. In Treptow-Köpenick, the proportion is 19.2 percent and is therefore about half as high as in Neukölln.

However, it is emphasized that the actual number of children could be even greater in poverty. The official statistics only record children and adolescents who are associated with transfer services. However, there is a large gray area of ​​people who are poor despite work and are not entitled to social benefits.

In view of the high level of child poverty, Seidel calls for the expansion of family centers and daycare social work. She emphasizes that measures such as the free student ticket for public transport, the free day care center, free lunch at primary schools and free learning aids are a great relief for families. Seidel demands that these measures are continued and that the Senate pays attention to the budget consultations that the bike is not turned back here.

The figures on child poverty in Berlin clearly show that it is still an urgent social problem. Targeted measures and support are needed to enable all children a good future and to combat poverty.