Monday, February 23, 2015

This European Nation's Poverty Rate Just Hit A Record High (Spoiler Alert: Not Greece)

This European Nation's Poverty Rate Just Hit A Record High (Spoiler Alert: Not Greece)

Tyler Durden's picture




 
For the last few years - and most especially the last few months - all eyes have been focused on Greece. From record poverty rates to record suicide rates and levels of youth unemployment, post-election emboldened hopes for a phoenix-like rebirth of a nation from the flames of Eurogroup repression were seemingly dashed on Friday. However there is another nation, that begins with the letter 'G' and that is at the heart of the EU-Greece talks that is suffering seemingly silently. As Newsweek reports, poverty in Germany is at its highest since the reunification of the country in 1990, with 12.5 million residents now classified as 'poor'...

As The Joint Welfare Association reports states,
Poverty in the Federal Republic of Germany is on an all time high, the findings of the Joint Welfare Association in its current poverty report. The Association is calling on the federal government for decisive action to combat poverty, including a significant increase in the standard rate in Hartz IV reforms and the family load balancing and basic old-age security.

"Never before has the poverty in Germany so high and never was the regional turmoil as deep as today. Germany is a deeply political poverty rugged Republic, "said Ulrich Schneider, Executive Director of the Joint General Association. Poverty in Germany has risen within a year almost jumped from 15.0 percent (2012) to 15.5 percent (2013). Purely mathematical terms this represents an increase from 12.1 to 12.5 million people.





The highest risk of poverty among all households were thereafter with 43 percent single parents. Special attention should also be paid to the Association's view, the pensioners, "There is no other group in Germany that had even remotely comparable high poverty increases in recent years. We are dealing with a pro-poor political landslide, "Schneider warns the face of a rise in poverty in this group by 48 percent since 2006. Already this year, the poverty rate for pensioners will first be above the German average, predicts the Association.
As Newsweek reports, "Poverty and regional inequalities are homemade primarily the result of political decisions," criticizes Schneider.
Dr Wolfgang Strengmann-Kuhn, a speaker for the Green parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, agrees. He believes cuts in social security funding are responsible for labour market incomes in the country becoming progressively more unequal, and points the finger at German chancellor Angela Merkel.

“While other countries have introduced tax credits for low income groups, this has not been on the agenda in Germany,” he says. “The fight against poverty is not on the agenda of the present government, neither has it been on the agenda of the preceding governments under Merkel.”

He says he believes that while Germany is profiting from the low value of the euro - which he attributes to the “crisis in southern Europe” - it is purely the upper-income groups who benefit.

“The poor lag behind because they have been neglected by the Merkel government,” he says.

“What is needed in Germany is the introduction of minimum levels in the social security systems, and it is also necessary to make the social insurance system universal.”
However, a spokesperson from the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs refutes the claims that Germany has seen a steep rise in poverty... noting that defining poverty based on median income alone does not reflect quality of life...
“The ‘at risk of poverty’ rate shows the proportion of people with equivalent income below 60% of the median income. It is not to be equated with poverty in the sense of indigence,” she says.

“Other highly important factors such as wealth, health, education, property or other social services are not considered. In addition, the indicator is not very robust due to random fluctuations of the median income. This means that small random fluctuations of the median income may have significant changes in poverty rates.”
In other words - the 'poor' German, we suspect, is considerably better off (in almost every aspect) that the 'poor' Greek.
It appears poverty is contagious among the world's money-printing-beneficiary developed nations...
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Sun, 02/22/2015 - 18:49 | 5816533 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture
All good... but needs more stimulus! In other news... Numbers station intercepts "TERRAKOTA" code from Russian source. Was used before Crimea op... Something about to happen?
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:02 | 5816578 Buster Cherry
Buster Cherry's picture
Those numbers stations creep me out. I alwayz have nightmares.when I run across one. Especially the angry german woman....
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:21 | 5816618 SafelyGraze
SafelyGraze's picture
all that poverty can be easily eradicated by leveraging the good credit of the Metallurgische Forschungsgesellschaft (Metallurgical Research Corporation)
such things have been done in the past, to the betterment of all
hugs,
Hjalmar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mefo_bills

 
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:35 | 5816644 Fish Gone Bad
Fish Gone Bad's picture
People in US prisons just may have it better than the average poor Greek.  A place to sleep, three meals a day...  and all the sex you may or may not want.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:44 | 5816663 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
It's all relative dude, people hate comparing.  That's being judgemental.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:58 | 5816697 Whoa Dammit
Whoa Dammit's picture
Poverty is getting pretty bad here in the USSA. I was at Dollar Tree (each item in the store is $1). The guy ahead of me in line was returning an item for a credit on his credit card.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:23 | 5816736 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
The welfare west hasn't seen poverty for 3 generations.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:46 | 5816823 Publicus
Publicus's picture
Civil War coming to Germany?
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:58 | 5816851 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
Simple answer, NO.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 21:40 | 5816975 AAA21
AAA21's picture
Lots of BS.  Poverty in developed countries is very much a relative thing.  Most accounting does not include the plethora of Government benefits lower income families and individuals receive.  Living standardards for lower income individuals are much higher than 20, 30 or 40 years ago.  Not that the facts will stop assorted Socialists and Marxists from trying to make hay out of anything they can!
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 22:20 | 5817072 falconflight
falconflight's picture
Thanks for refocusing on the most salient fact.  In the end, the productive enterprise that drove the West to world domination is waning and the redistribution will wane as well.  We're being molded to accept a different expectation...'free' this and that, but much of one's standard of living dependent on the central gov't.  Self determination and independence from the State will disappear for nearly all but the partners of the state.   It is not the "Banksters," it is the nature of humanity to desire to be ruled, just as long as basic security (promised) is provided.  Rugged individualism is all but extinct in the US, and I don't know that it ever was much of a factor within European history...sans England 100 years ago.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 23:10 | 5817274 Save_America1st
Save_America1st's picture
I'm going with Jim Willie on the fate of the euro.  It breaks up and they try to "save" it in a way by creating 2 different euro currencies...a north and a south.
Northern Euro countries like Germany, Austria, Netherlands, will create a northern euro and break away from the worthless, losers in the southern part of the euro-union.
Germany is being dragged down by the PIIGS, etc.  And why the fuck should they keep going down that shit hole and destroy themselves?
At the same time they will ally more closely with Russia and even China.  They're not going to let the close ties and trade they've developed w/ Russia be dismantled by all of this.  Russia along with China bringing everyone else into the new system is a the best way for them to go rather than staying w/ the sick and twisted fucked up zombie system based on our dead, worthless petro-dollar system.
 
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 23:12 | 5817290 Save_America1st
Save_America1st's picture
also:  new aggregate website that includes ZH and bunch of other kick ass information sites and video/podcast links updated by the minute.  Very cool as a one stop site in case you haven't found it yet.  I just found it today, so wanted to share.  Not affiliated, just sharing a new great site that I think all ZH'ers will appreciate.
http://thelibertymill.com/
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 23:26 | 5817328 falconflight
falconflight's picture
Thx
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 16:26 | 5819803 Nussi34
Nussi34's picture
Heil Euro!
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:29 | 5816784 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture
It could have just been someone returning a cheap peice of Chinese junk back to its rightful landfill.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:48 | 5816675 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture
Germany is going the way of Greece.  The rich dont pay taxes by hiding their money in Panama.  The country gets starved of revenue.  Their economy is in the crapper because of sanctions against Russia.  LOL, FU merkel, hope the mob hangs you upside down in Berlin like they did Mussoline, you fat fuck.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:58 | 5816695 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
Germany is not Greece.  Europe is Greece.  Who hung Mussolini upside down?  Yes, that's something to read about.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:13 | 5816722 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
Ioannis Metaxas, his movement hung him, but wtf do fools know.  Obama is gay and I have a mancrush on Putin is the extent of it.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:26 | 5816775 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
Argue my point, Mr. Cosmos.  Don't just downvote me like a fag.  This is fightclub bitch.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:44 | 5816818 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture
And you are just a loud mouthed kid.  Go play with your dolls little bitch.  My identical twin also downvoted you by the way lol.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:46 | 5816822 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
That's not arguing my point GF.  Wanna join my harem, you and Lola may get along.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:48 | 5816829 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture
Gosh you are annoying no wonder your folks left you home alone about five years back and never returned.  Too bad the schools feed you. By the way you dont make any points, just blunt lame drivel.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:54 | 5816835 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
Now you're just being silly. You should know better than to challenge a man, girlie.  I'm ready for a real argument anytime you are.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 21:50 | 5816986 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture
Ok Dollbanger we can tussle on another story.  You really haven't said anything worth discussing here.  Meet me sometimes on ZH chat, I go by the name of Chumbawamba on there, Ill tussle with you any time, that is if my Armenian gf is not around.  Im there right now, just click on my name and launch a pvt chat and lets argue before I spank you, your mom always liked when I did that to her, before your incessant whinning made her leave town.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 22:23 | 5817047 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
You don't have to get nasty with me, Chumbawamba.  I agree with much of what you say, that's why I never challenge you.  I just have a more logical and manly approach to life.  In the end, you will still end up as my bitch in my Harem, I'm just giving you a heads up..  It's all about love dude.  That's the struggle and fight till the bitter end, I enjoy every minute of it and I've got all the time.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:17 | 5816750 Againstthelie
Againstthelie's picture
The Greeks deserve that they are poor - they are lazy, not productive, don't pay taxes and have lived way beyond their means. The result is, that their state is bancrupt, which is just.
The Germans also deserve that they are poor - because they are stupid sheeple believing that being export champion was benefitial for the average Hans and they do not recognize that their country is a occupied vassal and they do not recognize that they are electing politicians that do not serve the German people but USrael.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 09:00 | 5818011 Chauncey Gardener
Chauncey Gardener's picture
Ah, why yes, of course...it's the Jooooos again. Is that the best you've got?
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 11:59 | 5818625 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture
No doubt that they for cliques to the detriment of Christian nations and businesses.  Had it not been for Nuland we wouldnt be having gentile women and children blown apart by rockets and artillery in Donbass.  Guess Nuland is following in the steps of her kin Allbright.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 21:22 | 5816920 WVO Biker
WVO Biker's picture
Everybody I talk to in Germany opposes our government and NATO policy vs. Russia and says they do no longer trust newspapers and TV. Guys that bring and pick up my boxes work 10 or 11 hours, are paid 9 hours and after taxes make just the rent for an average size flat in Hamburg. Their employers can select guys with "Abitur" (qualified for university), who are reliable and hard working. 
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 02:42 | 5817589 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture
@COSMOS, partly incorrect.
"Germany is going the way of Greece": Yes, this appears to be the plan of  our lords, here in Germany but more so in the US. Germany has been largley sold out to Anlgosaxon "investors" or Arabian muzzies who need a place for their FED-printed fiat money or Petrodollars.
"The rich dont pay taxes by hiding their money in Panama": No, mainly large corporations who have the means to exploit loopholes, see also next point.
"The country gets starved of revenue": No, tax revenues have never been higher and have been rising constantly. Reason: The middle class still exists. Then the taxman profits from the increasing but underreported inflation.
"Their economy is in the crapper because of sanctions against Russia": Not yet, but severly harmed. More than the pro-war media reports. The master plan, however, is to severly damage  the German-Russian relationship. Ther Germans will pay dearly for Obamas stupidity.
"merkel, hope the mob hangs you upside down in Berlin": Some hope so, but this B. is popular in Germany.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 02:54 | 5817602 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture
I wish someone in Diplomatic or Journalistic areas would take USA to the woodshed over too many non-local banking/Loan Links.
- USA is being Federalized, but also Wall Streetized
- Centralized Banking Power makes Villages Vulnerable
- Big Banks are Gobbling up Small Banks
it is over. This looks like the End:
-------------------------------
--- Teeth's US Dream Anthem --
-------------------------------
- It is 1 Minute to Midnight: Neo-Feudal Debt Slavery & nuke war
- Problem is Bankers, Politicians, Lawyers & Judges
- Failure of Self Regulation of Bankers, Politicians, Lawyers & Judges
- US Constitution is Usurped, Gone are Budget Powers, Legislative Powers, War Powers
- Money has taken over the Government, Banking, Universities, Science
- American Dream is over, Corruption is the same in all Countries now
- Old American Dream may serve as basis for new Country someday
-------------------------------
--- Teeth's US Dream Anthem --
-------------------------------
USA Bankers now Control 60% of the world, and 90% of the Developed World except China:
Repost: Here is proof who is the Power of the NWO:
December 2014 saw a Record, a New Record on a Long Trend in US Long Term Treasuries held by Foreign Countries.
- 2014 LT Treasuries held by Foreigners Total = $6.153 Trillion
- 2013 LT Treasuries held by Foreigners Total = $4.9 Trillion
I think this represents not only Hegemony over the world, but a concerted Strategy to implement a world Government based on Fealty to the State as ultimate authority through corporatism & finance, military protection for world trade, Open Border Treaties, Free Trade Treaties, and the Financial power of the USA & European Allies... which will merge into alliances with Asia, South America, and Australia.
Remember to add China and Hong Kong together for China Total.
http://www.treasury.gov/ticdata/Publish/shl2002r.pdf
http://www.treasury.gov/ticdata/Publish/shla2013r.pdf
(http://www.treasury.gov/ticdata/Publish/mfh.txt)
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/intinv/iip_glance.htm
Last Data is from December 2014.
Belgium 2002 = $10.8 B, then 2013 = $163 B, Today $335 B
Bermuda 2002 = $14 B, then 2013 = $94 B, Today ??
Cayman Islands 2002 = $10.7 B, then 2013 = $66 B, Today ??
Canada 2002 = $8.4 B, then 2013 = $46.6 B, Today $69 B
China 2002 = $95 B, then 2013 = $1,272 B, Today $1244 B
France 2002 = $11 B, then 2013 = $42.4 B, Today $79.2 B
Germany 2002 = $38 B, then 2013 = $54 B, Today $72.7 B
Hong Kong 2002 = $37 B, then 2013 = $89 B, Today $172.6 B
India 2002 = $5.2 B, then 2013 = $56.6 B, Today $83 B
Ireland 2002 = $6 B, then 2013 = $91 B, Today $138.6 B
Japan 2002 = $260 B, then 2013 = $1,023 B, Today $1231 B
Luxemburg 2002 = $20.2 B, then 2013 = $107 B, Today $172 B
Mexico 2002 = $16.7 B, then 2013 = $52.7 B, Today $84.8 B
Norway 2002 = $5 B, then 2013 = $74 B, Today $81.6 B
Philippines 2002 = $3 B, then 2013 = $36 B, Today $40.6 B
Poland 2002 = $7 B, then 2013 = $31 B, Today $27 B
Russia 2002 = $3 B, then 2013 = $138 B, Today $86 B
Singapore 2002 = 19.4 B, then 2013 = $82 B, Today $110 B
Switzerland 2002 = $28 B, then 2013 = $157 B, Today $190 B
Taiwan 2002 = $0 B, then 2013 = $183 B, Today $175 B
Turkey 2002 = $2 B, then 2013 = $18 B, Today $77 B
United Kingdom = $45.7 B, then 2013 = $130.6 B, Today $189 B
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 07:10 | 5817781 eurogold
eurogold's picture
The politics of Germany are driving more people towards increased poverty for a greater part due to reduced wages, age descrimination, etc..Employers seek only young workers who will work for peanuts leaving highly qualified, experienced workers over 30-35 on the street. Employers shove the financial, social burdens on the government.
Nürnberg for example has the highest proportion (in Germany)  of taxi drivers who are academically / University graduates.
It is a spiral towards the bottom. Bottom meaning dependency for ever more once productive highly educated middle aged workers, on the government hand-outs and being socially ostracized.
I observe an increasingly growing public resentment, and the growing powerbase of the left.
 
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:37 | 5816647 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture
We need to define poverty, some of the wealthiest folks I know are also the poorest in spirit.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 18:50 | 5816538 Vampyroteuthis ...
Vampyroteuthis infernalis's picture
Notice how East Germany is red. Pay attention Obammy!
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 18:57 | 5816565 knukles
knukles's picture
Exactamundo!
Bavaria, a wonderfully staid conservative right wing gorgeous places on earth is one of the claenest and wealthiest.....
No Muzzies and loafers for you!
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:09 | 5816598 Thirst Mutilator
Thirst Mutilator's picture
LOLLYGAGGERS

One Mississippi... Two Mississippi... IT'S A MIRACLE!
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:56 | 5816845 Buckaroo Banzai
Buckaroo Banzai's picture
Classic clip. It is mystifying how you got down votes for that. Fuckin HuffPo retards I guess.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 21:08 | 5816873 Thirst Mutilator
Thirst Mutilator's picture
let's work on our cliches ~ LOL :-)
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:33 | 5816792 Againstthelie
Againstthelie's picture
It seems you never have been to Bavaria.
White genocide is happening everywhere and Munich is the same sh.thole like Berlin, Paris or London.
There is no difference between the establishment parties. The only difference is in their economic way torwards world government. While the red ones lobby for mass immigration because of their retarded Marxist egalitarian ideology and their hate of White culture and nations, while the industrial-agricultural complex of the "consevative" parties is forming the other half of the vise by supporting mass immigration because of wage dumping and destroying social market economy.
Both sides are serving the neo-feudalist globalist agenda of the 1% equally well, while the voting-sheeple quarrel if the the red or the blue pill will be better for them personally.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 00:22 | 5817450 Jorgen
Jorgen's picture
If you want to see the future of white population of European Union and North America, check the present day South Africa.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 04:09 | 5817605 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture
Detroit gives you an accurate picture of the terminal phase of decay. At this point, you won't find any place anywhere in Europe that approximately compares to the squalor of those run-down shitholes similar to Detroit which the US has many of. The next place that comes close to downtown Detroit outside the US that I can think of is the slum of Nairobi*).
This has to do with the decay and/or lack of civilisation in  the US which has become visible only after the postwar-pseudo-wealth machine has stopped to function. It is now entirely clear that the US is an enrichment scheme for the 0.1%. I conclude this from the terrific speed the middle class is vanishing with in the US.
The civic decay can be measured by a single number: The incarceration rate of the US that beats that of almost any other country in the world.
*) For CNN-viewers: This is close to Hongkong.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 07:44 | 5817828 Againstthelie
Againstthelie's picture
Politics follows biology.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 07:49 | 5817834 Againstthelie
Againstthelie's picture
I am afraid you are correct.
If S.A. is the model, then one can also observe, that our race even is kept under total control of the Jew, when it vanishes.
To me it seems the fate of the White nations and European culture was sealed on May 8th 1945.
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 07:19 | 5817792 eurogold
eurogold's picture
The reality is that Bavaria is one of the most right-wing, criminally governed, backward states.
Lets look at the same map in a year, Bavaria will also be red. I think I know alittle about Bavaria as I live here..
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 20:19 | 5816758 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture
Yelling at Obama won't do much good.
He has less than two years left and then it'll be sHitllery for eight years, or Jeb Bush, not that there's a dime's worth of difference between them.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:02 | 5816558 knukles
knukles's picture
Southern Germany is one of my favorite places on Earth.  This was in the 70's when I was over there, remember going into the stubbe's during Octoberfest and in all of 'em tucked off in a corner would be a big oompah band, guys in Lederhosen, singing the Horst-Wessel song, teary eyed, swinging hands upward in salutes remembering the Good Olde Days.  Actually felt pretty damned safe around those folks back then.  In fact most of Europe was still European and civil, cuturally significant, clean and livable.  Gone to shit since then with the spread of immigration, inclusiveness, cultural dumbing down and socialism.  Gone to shit.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 19:14 | 5816605 Doña K
Doña K's picture
I concur. I walked through the main square of a small town near Dysseldorf last August and I heard at least 5 different lingos spoken.
Sun, 02/22/2015 - 22:10 | 5817063 Kiwi Pete
Kiwi Pete's picture
Really? 5 lingos? That place has really gone to shit then! Were they all wealthy tourists off a cruise ship? Or waas there an international conference of dentists in town?
Mon, 02/23/2015 - 01:52 | 5817550 Ofelas
Ofelas's picture
which languages then

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