Sharp rise in foreigners receiving asylum seeker benefits in Germany

The number of foreigners receiving benefits as asylum seekers in Germany rose significantly last year.

Around 482,300 people were receiving standard benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act at the end of 2022, which was 21% or around 84,000 people more than a year earlier, according to Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) data released on Monday.

One reason for the increase was the Russian invasion of Ukraine: at the end of 2022, around 40,000 asylum seekers were Ukrainian, accounting for 8% of the total.

The majority of those entitled to benefits came from Asia (52%), Europe (29%) and Africa (16%). The most common countries of origin were Syria (13%), Afghanistan (12%) and Iraq (11%).

The majority of the people - 63% - were men, the other 37% women. Some 31% were minors.

In addition to standard benefits, asylum seekers can receive special benefits, for example in the event of illness or pregnancy. At the end of 2022, 289,900 people were entitled to these benefits, according to Destatis.

After the attack on their country on February 24, 2022, war refugees from Ukraine were initially provided for under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Since June 2022, they have been better integrated into Germany's basic income support scheme known as Bürgergeld.

Under the current rules, newly arrived Ukrainians receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act until they are granted a residence permit.