According to a new study, around a quarter of all young people under the age of 25 in Germany are at risk of poverty.

As a result, young people have poorer development and participation opportunities, according to the study presented on Wednesday by the Federal Working Group for Catholic Youth Social Work (BAG KJS).

The study is entitled "Monitor youth poverty in Germany 2022". The figures are therefore taken from information from the Federal Statistical Office, the trend study youth and a Bertelsmann study.

According to the EU definition, people are considered to be at risk of poverty if their disposable income is less than 60 percent of the median income of the entire population in the relevant EC member state.

In Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office, this threshold for a person living alone last year was 15,009 euros net per year or 1,251 euros per month).

The CEO of BAG KJS, Stefan Ottersbach, emphasized that the corona crisis and spiraling prices are not only increasing the problems in digital participation and education.

In view of current developments, 68 percent of the young people surveyed were concerned that they would have to live with their families in poverty, that they would no longer be able to afford housing and the cost of living.

It is a scandal that the high number of poor young people is not more firmly anchored in public awareness, precisely because it affects all areas of life.

BAG KJS has published such a monitor every two years since 2010.

Concerns about mental health and financial perspective

According to the Monitor, 46 percent of young people were worried about their mental health because of the corona pandemic, around a third about their standard of living, and around a quarter each worried about their financial situation and their professional prospects.

Because of inflation, around 37 percent believed their future would look worse in three years.

The BAG KJS called for more efforts to combat youth poverty.

Among other things, there must be a binding training guarantee.

In addition, a basic security for children and young people must be introduced, which is more than the "mere subsistence level" and enables participation in social life.

For help, there must be a "long-term and binding guarantee for help" even after the age of 18.

In addition, more living space must be created for young people.

Impact on young people's lives

According to its own information, the youth poverty monitor is intended to provide a graphically prepared overview of current statistics and studies dealing with the living conditions of young people between the ages of 14 and 27.

The BAG KJS wanted to draw attention to the very special situation of "young people affected by poverty - and their right to shape their lives according to their own ideas".

The current monitor examines the effects of inflation, the availability of training places, the housing market, the lack of social participation and the effects of the corona pandemic on the prospects of disadvantaged young people.

BAG KJS claims to represent the interests of young people in church, state, politics, business and associations.

The central topic is fair participation for all young people and the fight against youth poverty.