The Berlin Senate Department for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination (Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung) has prepared and published the so-called “Social Report 2025” (Sozialbericht 2025). The document is important and rightly quite timely.

It is based on a comprehensive analysis of information from official sources. Including the results of sample surveys conducted to obtain estimated data in certain areas of social life (microcensus), statistics from the Office for Statistics Berlin-Brandenburg (Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg) and the Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt), as well as data from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and the “Socio-Economic Panel” (Socio-Economic Panel, SOEP).

Such information serves as the foundation for making well-grounded managerial decisions, allowing the avoidance of errors associated with misunderstanding the scale and nature of social challenges. The key components of such a database include statistical observations, sociological studies, analytical reports and the results of monitoring the effectiveness of already implemented measures. Along with the fact that ensuring openness and accessibility of data for the public can significantly improve the quality and transparency of social policy, making it more effective and oriented toward the real needs of citizens.

The report presents up-to-date statistical data reflecting the social situation of Berlin residents, and also analyzes the dynamics of key aspects of life such as poverty, employment, housing conditions and some other areas of Berliners’ lives.

In this context, Berlin Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Cansel Kızıltepe noted: “The report Sozialbericht 2025 provides us with a comprehensive view of the social situation in Berlin. It clearly identifies both problem areas and areas where significant progress has been achieved. For policymakers, this is a direct indication of the need to ensure and strengthen social infrastructure where it is most needed by Berliners.”

According to Sozialbericht 2025, the social situation in Berlin remains quite difficult. For example:

• about 20% of the city’s population is at risk of poverty. The poverty level among children and elderly citizens exceeds national averages;
• there is a pronounced spatial inequality in social conditions and a growing influence of the housing market on the overall social situation. Around 20% of Berlin households spend more than 40% of their income on rent, which is considered an excessive financial burden. “Homelessness” has increased significantly, and the number of people living in shelters, including refugees, has risen;
• in the field of education, a contradictory picture is observed. With an overall increase in qualification levels, the share of people without vocational and academic education is increasing;
• the issue of poverty among the working population remains relevant: the share of workers dependent on SGB II benefits in Berlin is approximately twice as high as the national average overall, which is particularly characteristic of part-time employees and people without German citizenship;
• about a quarter of Berlin residents experience feelings of loneliness, especially young people, men, low-income individuals and people without German citizenship.

It is clear that there are also impressive successes in the social sphere of the capital. They are evident and are also recorded in Sozialbericht 2025. But in this case, the main point lies elsewhere. Without access to accurate, complete and timely data, it is not possible to adequately assess the current state of affairs in society, identify relevant social problems and determine priority directions for the development and implementation of various programs and projects.

Sozialbericht 2025 is available at: www.berlin.de