Poverty in Baden-Baden: When wealth and need collide

Poverty in Baden-Baden: When wealth and need collide

Baden-Baden, Deutschland - When you think of Baden-Baden, you often have pictures of luxurious villas, bubbling sources and top-class events in your head. The question "How many millionaires are there in Baden-Baden?" It is not by chance that the most excited questions about the city. But behind the facade of the rich and beautiful, the current poverty report shows a completely different reality that stimulates us to think. The city faces challenges that make their financial situation appear to be shiny. Even in one of the wealthiest cities in Germany, many citizens are fighting with precarious living conditions such as [goodnews4.de] (https://www.goodnews4.de/nachrichten/daily-news/item/armut-und-baden-baden-nicht-nicht-nicht-nicht-nicht-

Aktuell live in Baden-Baden more than 4,700 adults and 1,100 children under poverty conditions, which is about 8.5 percent of the over 55,000 inhabitants. These figures come from the 2019 poverty report and indicate an alarming tendency. While the millionaire density is remarkably high - 15 millionaires to 10,000 taxable residents - the number of financially disadvantaged is growing at the same time. Many people do not have enough pension to make a living, which leads to an increase in poverty, as the [FBB Baden-Baden] (https://www.fbb-baden-baden.de/fokus/buerger/so- many- Army-men-im-bichen-baden) describes.

action days against the invisibility of poverty

To draw attention to the topic, run against poverty by November 1, 2024, organized by an alliance of 14 partners, including AWO, Caritasverband and Diakonie. In this context, a total of 18 events are planned to deal with the challenges of poverty and homelessness. The highlights include a sofa conversation with Evelin König, which takes place in the Kurhaus-Kolonnaden today from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., as well as a play on October 19 in Tik and warm meals for needy children on October 18th.

A very important part of these action days is also the CARITAS cold protection action, which runs until October 20. Here, sleeping bags are designed in public locations to help homeless people in the city. This brings us to the central question of how we, as a society, deal with the existence of poverty in a city like Baden-Baden.

Poverty risk in Germany

In the overall German context, the situation doesn't look much better. Even in a wealthy country like Germany, poverty remains an urgent problem. According to Statista, the risk of poverty was around 16.6 percent in 2023. Vulnerable groups such as children and older people are particularly affected. 18.1 percent of the over 65-year-olds are even considered at risk of poverty. It is to be hoped that the citizens' money reform and other social aid can alleviate some of the most oppressive problems, here too in Baden-Baden. A standard rate of 563 euros for citizen benefit, supplemented by living and heating costs, could possibly give some families the necessary security.

Reality in Baden-Baden may seem brilliant, but it is bubbling under the surface. The campaign days offer a platform to raise awareness of poverty and its effects, and show that it is time not only to look at the glamorous facades of our city, but also the people who live near them. Especially now that this topic is so current, we should all help our part to be left behind in the city of rich and beautiful.