“Social Report 2024” published: What are living conditions like in Germany?

“Social Report 2024” published: What are living conditions like in Germany?
Publications use Socio-Economic Panel data

The “Sozialbericht 2024,” produced in collaboration with the Socio-Economic Panel, is being presented today. It is published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB), and the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB).

The Social Report (previously: “Datenreport”/Data Report) contains numerous analyses of living conditions in Germany, compiled by experts in official statistics and social research. It covers a wide range of topics, from education, the labor market and income, to health, values, and attitudes. For the first time ever, analyses address loneliness, homelessness, and the situation of Ukrainian refugees.

Inequality and risk of poverty remain high

Regarding inequality and distribution, a key research area, SOEP and WZB contribute several analyses. One key finding is that while wealth in Germany has increased in recent years, it remains unequally distributed. At the same time, the risk of poverty in old age has risen slightly across all population groups.

Better integration of women and immigrants into the labor market

To counteract the labor shortage in Germany, untapped potential must be better used. For example, 335,000 full-time workers could be added if mothers and fathers could work as much as they want to work. Immigrants could also be better integrated: In 2023, a quarter of the labor force in Germany consisted of people with a migration background; among those aged 20-29 , it is even a third.

Press release (WZB) (in German)

Website of the Social Report (in German): Social Report