Lower Saxony's poverty gap widens as 1.3 million struggle in 2025

A record 1.3 million in Lower Saxony lived below the poverty line last year. Who bore the brunt—and why the numbers reveal deeper systemic cracks?

, and Administrator

2026 May 17 . 5:00 PM

1 min read

The image shows a chart depicting the poverty rates by age by gender in 2012. The chart is divided... — The image shows a chart depicting the poverty rates by age by gender in 2012. The chart is divided into sections, each representing a different age group, and the height of each section indicates the percentage of people living in that age group. The text accompanying the chart provides further information about the data, such as the number of people who have been diagnosed with poverty in each age group and the amount of money they have received.

Lower Saxony's poverty gap widens as 1.3 million struggle in 2025

New figures for 2025 reveal a sharp divide in poverty risk across Lower Saxony. Over 1.3 million residents faced relative income poverty, with some groups far more vulnerable than others. Single parents, young adults and women were among the hardest hit by financial insecurity last year. The official at-risk-of-poverty rate in Lower Saxony stood at 16.8% in 2025. This classification applies to anyone earning less than 60% of the average monthly household net income. For a single person, the poverty threshold was set at €1,327 per month.

Single-parent households bore the heaviest burden, with a 41.8% poverty risk—the highest of any group. A lone parent with one child under 14 fell below the poverty line if their monthly income dropped under €1,725. For two adults with two children under 14, the threshold rose to €2,787. Age also played a major role in poverty risk. Young people under 18 faced a 21% risk, while those aged 18 to 24 saw an even higher rate of 24.7%. At the other end of the scale, residents over 65 had a 17.9% risk, slightly above the regional average. Gender differences were equally stark. Women experienced a 17.9% poverty risk in 2025, compared to 15.6% for men.

The data highlights persistent inequalities in Lower Saxony’s poverty landscape. Single parents, young adults and older residents all faced above-average financial strain last year. With 1.3 million people affected, the figures underscore the scale of relative income poverty across the region.