Recipients of unemployment benefits in Germany 2024

In 2024, around four million people received unemployment benefits, known as Arbeitslosengeld II (ALG II) in Germany. 

ALG II, also called Hartz IV, is social benefit payments to people without an income who cannot work to make a living. Whether a claimant is eligible for Arbeitslosengeld II depends on his or her assets, savings, life insurance and the income of a spouse or partner. If all of these assets are below a threshold level, a claimant can get money from the state.