The share of people in Germany living at risk of poverty rose to 16% last year, an increase of one percentage point compared with the previous year, according to a new report. The figures indicate that around 13.3 million people across the country are now considered at risk of poverty, highlighting persistent social and economic pressures despite Germany’s overall economic strength.

The report defines people at risk of poverty as those earning less than 60% of the median national income, a standard measure used across the European Union. Social organizations have warned that rising living costs, particularly for housing and energy, are exacerbating inequality and placing additional strain on low-income households.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Interior Ministry has cast doubt on claims that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has moderated its image through the creation of a new youth wing. Officials said they are closely examining whether the group represents a genuine break from its predecessor, which was classified as extremist and placed under surveillance by domestic intelligence services.

Authorities emphasized that any assessment would be based on the organization’s activities, rhetoric, and links to extremist networks, rather than its formal structure or public messaging alone.

In a separate development, Germany announced that it has established diplomatic relations with the Pacific island nation of Niue, marking a further expansion of Berlin’s diplomatic presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The move reflects Germany’s growing engagement with small island states on issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation.