Data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Wednesday indicate that approximately 461,000 individuals in Germany received standard benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG) at the end of 2024. This figure includes roughly 25,200 people originating from Ukraine.
The number of benefit recipients decreased by approximately ten percent, or 52,700 individuals, compared to 2023.
Eligibility for these benefits is determined for foreign nationals residing within Germany who meet the requirements outlined in § 1 of the AsylbLG. Benefits are categorized as either standard or special. As of the end of 2024, 64 percent of standard benefit recipients were male, while 36 percent were female. Nearly 29 percent were minors, 69 percent were aged between 18 and 64 and approximately one percent were 65 years or older.
The majority of individuals eligible for benefits originated from Asia (47 percent), followed by Europe (31 percent) and Africa (17 percent). Turkey accounted for 16 percent of all recipients, followed by Syria (14 percent), Afghanistan (11 percent) and Iraq (7 percent). Ukrainian nationals represented five percent of all benefit recipients at the end of 2024.
In addition to standard benefits, the AsylbLG also allows for the provision of special benefits in specific needs situations. These include assistance related to illness, pregnancy and childbirth, the provision of employment opportunities, other benefits and provisions under chapters 5 to 9 of the Social Code XII (SGB XII) and Part II of SGB IX. Around 252,300 individuals received special benefits at the end of 2024, including approximately 13,000 who were exclusively eligible for these special benefits.