Germany: The Gap Between Rich and Poor Widening

A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revealed that the gap between the rich and poor in Germany is growing.

The report showed that inequality in Germany is one of the highest in the European Union, and that the already-existing gap is widening even further.

The wealthiest 20% of Germans are now taking home five times the income of the bottom 20%, with incomes for the lowest earners falling by 4.2% in the period 2014-2017. This figure is almost double the EU average.

The study also showed that while government policy has made a difference, it could do much more. The government has a “key role” in reducing inequality, as its commitments to a minimum wage, tax and spend policies and gender-equal pay can help narrow the gap.

The OECD suggests that investing more resources in education and training programmes for low-skilled workers and expanding job-related benefits for parents can help break the cycle of poverty.

The report concluded that “concrete policies to reduce inequality should not be delayed” if Germany is to improve the quality of life of its citizens.