The poverty rate in Germany, with 13.2 million people concerned, is at 15.9 percent of the total population and has thus reached the highest level since German reunification. Measured by the number of inhabitants, there were highs around Bremerhaven and Bremen, at over 24.5 percent. The densely populated Ruhr area had a rate of 21.4 percent, all according to the assessment of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband in its poverty report. The corona crisis is likely to increase social inequality and poverty to a noticeable extent, the federation said, calling for social benefits to be increased for poor people. The FDP, on its part, spoke out against higher financial benefits and in favor of qualification and further training offers. These are more sustainable, a spokesman for the liberal party said.