Poverty Rises in Germany

The number of people living in relative poverty in Germany has slightly increased in 2003, according to a government report quoted by Welt am Sonntag newspaper. The report, due to be published early next year, shows that 13 percent of Germany's population was considered poor in 2003, compared to 12.7 percent a year earlier. Single parents, families with more than three children and immigrants are mainly affected by poverty. About 1.08 million children are dependent on social welfare in Germany, according to the report. While people in developing countries are defined as poor if they have less than $1 (82 eurocents) or $2 per day, the so-called "relative poverty" in industrialized countries is defined as anyone having less than 60 percent of the average income. Germany's poverty line is €732,20 in the western states and €604,80 in the eastern states, according to the German activist group Attac.