In Germany, approximately 1.9 million individuals with higher education faced poverty risks last year, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office.
Recent statistics reveal a concerning trend in Germany, where approximately 1.9 million people holding higher education degrees were at risk of poverty in 2025. This figure represents an increase of about 350,000 from the previous year, highlighting a troubling rise among educated individuals who are nonetheless struggling financially. The rise in poverty risk among this demographic has been attributed, in part, to an increase in the number of graduates, which has not translated to sufficient employment opportunities that offer adequate remuneration.
The number of individuals in Germany with university degrees, applied sciences diplomas, or vocational academy qualifications rose to approximately 21.04 million in 2025. This figure reflects an increase from 19.41 million in 2022, indicating a growing pool of highly educated individuals within the workforce. However, the escalating numbers of graduates do not correspond to reliably good-paying jobs, as evidenced by the rising unemployment rate among academically educated individuals, which climbed to 3.3% in 2025 from 2.2% in 2022.
Despite the troubling statistics for educated individuals, the risk of poverty remains significantly higher for those with lower levels of education. The disparity in income and job security between different educational qualifications raises important questions about the effectiveness of current educational and employment policies. The situation calls for a re-evaluation of how the labor market accommodates skilled graduates and the support systems in place to help these individuals transition from education to stable employment.
