(de-news.net) – According to data published by the Federal Statistical Office, Germany’s net expenditures on social assistance under the Social Code Book XII (SGB XII) increased by approximately 14.8 percent in 2024, reaching a total of 20.2 billion euros. This upward trend was evident across all categories of assistance. The largest share—56.5 percent—was directed toward basic income support for the elderly and individuals with reduced earning capacity, amounting to 11.4 billion euros, which reflects a 13.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. These benefits were entirely financed through federal reimbursements to the Länder.

Expenditures for long-term care assistance rose by 17.7 percent, totaling 5.3 billion euros. Support for subsistence needs reached 1.6 billion euros, representing an 11.1 percent increase. Additional categories, including health-related assistance, support for overcoming particular social challenges, and aid in other life circumstances, collectively accounted for 1.9 billion euros, marking a 19.4 percent rise from 2023.

In a separate statistical framework, services pertaining to integration assistance for persons with disabilities—regulated under the Federal Participation Act (BTHG) and recorded within SGB IX since 2020—amounted to 28.7 billion euros in 2024. This figure denotes a 12.9 percent increase relative to the previous year.