Wealth and poverty in Munich: a city between worlds

Wealth and poverty in Munich: a city between worlds

München, Deutschland - In Munich, two realities of life collide that could not be more different. While the city triumphs with a purchasing power, which is a whopping 35 percent above the German average, the social ditch in the Bavarian capital is deep. Despite the title as the richest city of Germany, such as BR , every sixth person in the city is affected by poverty. Often those affected only have a pension or income that is not even enough to survive.

A very specific example of this is the 83-year-old Charlotte, who is dependent on food donations after 24 years of operation of her restaurant due to health problems. With a pension of 480 euros and a top -up basic security, she is strongly faced with the reality of poverty. According to the poverty report from 2022, older people, families with children, single parents and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses are among those affected. The cost of living in the city is so high that many Munichers have to fight to make ends meet ( City of Munich ).

numbers that make you listen

The declaration of war against poverty is urgently needed, because the Munich poverty report from 2022 shows that more than 17 percent of the population are affected by relative poverty, which corresponds to around 269,000 people. However, only around 129,000 of them receive government support. It is a vicious circle that is anchored in the city with the clearly recognizable social imbalance.

A striking contrast shows itself in the life of Steffi, a 26-year-old heiress who is one of the richest five percent of Germans with a net salary of around 1.2 million euros. Steffi has several properties and volunteers in a nursery. The impression arises that the gap between rich and poor in Munich only grows further, while economic successes and a solid labor market prevail. This imbalance does not make it easier for many people to make a living and find accommodation that correspond to their financial means ( City of Munich ).

The definition of poverty

The European definition of poverty is clear: Those who earn less than 60 percent of the middle income or are affected by material and social deprivation is considered to be at risk of poverty. This measurement takes place on the basis of various factors that take into account not only income, but also the general quality of life. The poverty hazard for single people is, for example, at 1,250 euros per month ( Destatis ).

While part of the Munich population has to deal with ever higher living costs, others enjoy increasing assets and property. This divergence is not only a local topic, but also reflects the challenges of social challenges that should give impetus for discussion about social justice and sustainable urban development.