Poverty and living standards in Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt (Brandenburg, Germany): official figures
The share of residents under 65 living on basic income support (Bürgergeld, formerly Hartz IV) in the city of Cottbus was 14.1% in 2023, 24th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 6.5%. That is down from 14.7% in 2019.
How high is child poverty in Cottbus?
The number of children under 15 per 100 living in households on basic income support in the city of Cottbus was 21.6 in 2023, 25th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 10.2. In 2019 the figure was 24.6.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many pensioners need basic income support in Cottbus?
At 2.3% in 2023, the share of people aged 65 and over receiving basic income support in old age in the city of Cottbus ranked 183rd lowest of 400 German districts (district median 2.4%). That is up from 1.6% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many households get Wohngeld in Cottbus?
At 28.6 in 2022, the number of households per 1,000 receiving housing benefit (Wohngeld) in the city of Cottbus ranked 9th highest of 400 German districts (district median 14.7). In 2018 the figure was 21.1.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many households are on a low income in Cottbus?
At 26.6% in 2023, the share of households with a net income below €1,500 a month in the city of Cottbus ranked 114th highest of 400 German districts (district median 23.1%). It was 32.7% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people are in debt in Cottbus?
In 2023, the city of Cottbus recorded a share of adults who are over-indebted (private debtors) of 9.3%, compared with 7.5% in the median German district, which ranks it 85th highest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was 11.5%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many personal bankruptcies are there in Cottbus?
In 2023, the city of Cottbus had 1.85 personal insolvency cases per 1,000 adults, compared with 0.81 in the median German district, which ranks it 24th highest of 400 districts. It was 2.02 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow much is rent in Cottbus?
At about €8 in 2024, the asking rent per square metre for advertised flats (rounded to the euro) in the city of Cottbus ranked 156th lowest of 400 German districts (district median about €9). It was about €6 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the crime rate in Cottbus?
At 9,184 in 2022, the number of recorded crimes per 100,000 residents in the city of Cottbus ranked 45th highest of 400 German districts (district median 5,341). It was 9,006 in 2018.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many single parents receive Bürgergeld in Cottbus?
At 15.3% in 2023, the share of single parents among working-age people on basic income support in the city of Cottbus ranked 170th highest of 400 German districts (district median 14.9%). That is up from 13.9% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt compares with other districts in Germany
Residents under 65 on basic income support (%) (2023)
Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 24 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der erwerbsfähigen und nicht erwerbsfähigen Leistungsberechtigten nach SGB II an den unter 65-jährigen Einwohnern in %
| Rank | Area | Residents under 65 on basic income support (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Delmenhorst, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.5% |
| 22 | Schwerin, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.4% |
| 23 | Bochum, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.4% |
| 24 | Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.1% |
| 25 | Recklinghausen | 14.1% |
| 26 | Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.0% |
| 27 | Brandenburg an der Havel, Kreisfreie Stadt | 13.7% |
Children under 15 on basic income support per 100 (2023)
Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 26 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Nicht erwerbsfähige SGBII-Leistungsberechtigte unter 15 Jahren je 100 Einwohner unter 15 Jahren
| Rank | Area | Children under 15 on basic income support per 100 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.9 |
| 24 | Neumünster, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.7 |
| 25 | Wiesbaden, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.6 |
| 26 | Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.6 |
| 27 | Recklinghausen | 21.5 |
| 28 | Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.3 |
| 29 | Lübeck, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.1 |
Over-65s on basic income support in old age (%) (2023)
Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 220 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Bevölkerung mit Grundsicherung im Alter an den Einwohnern 65 Jahre und älter in %
| Rank | Area | Over-65s on basic income support in old age (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 217 | Donnersbergkreis | 2.3% |
| 218 | Cuxhaven | 2.3% |
| 219 | Mainz-Bingen | 2.3% |
| 220 | Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt | 2.3% |
| 221 | Peine | 2.3% |
| 222 | Hohenlohekreis | 2.3% |
| 223 | Rhein-Neckar-Kreis | 2.3% |
Asking rent for advertised flats (€ per m², rounded) (2024)
Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 312 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Wiedervermietungsmieten inserierter Wohnungen (Angebotsmieten)
| Rank | Area | Asking rent for advertised flats (€ per m², rounded) |
|---|---|---|
| 309 | Schweinfurt, Landkreis | about €8 |
| 310 | Neunkirchen | about €8 |
| 311 | St. Wendel | about €8 |
| 312 | Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt | about €8 |
| 313 | Ostprignitz-Ruppin | about €8 |
| 314 | Nordwestmecklenburg | about €8 |
| 315 | Vorpommern-Greifswald | about €8 |
More on Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · Brandenburg · Germany
Sources
- Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung: INKAR – Indikatoren und Karten zur Raum- und Stadtentwicklung: 43 district (Kreise) indicators, 2012-2024 (table service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c743f54caf6…)
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