Wednesday's top story: Germany’s wealth gap widens as super-rich numbers surge
The number of ultra-wealthy individuals in Germany has risen sharply, intensifying concerns about the growing concentration of wealth in the country.
Around 5,000 people each with assets exceeding $100 million now control more than a quarter of Germany’s financial wealth, according to the Boston Consulting Group.
In 2025 alone, the number of these “super-rich” increased by roughly 1,100, driven largely by strong stock market gains. Together, they hold 27.3 percent of Germany’s $12.4 trillion in financial assets – equivalent to nearly €3.4 trillion.
The consultancy predicts their share will climb further to 29 percent by 2030, as wealthy investors benefit from greater access to high-yield opportunities such as equities and private equity.
Meanwhile, wealth remains far more modest for most households. Around 66 million people hold less than $250,000 in financial assets and collectively own just over a third of the total.
READ ALSO: Germany home to fourth most billionaires worldwide
Risk of wildfires increases in Bavaria amid high temperatures
The risk of wildfires remains high across large parts of Bavaria.
The German Weather Service (DWD) on Tuesday rated the danger at Level 4 on its five-tier scale.
The situation is expected to get worse in the coming days.
According to forecasts, the highest warning – Level 5 – is likely to be declared in and around Nuremberg, as well as in Regensburg and Aldersbach.
According to the DWD, the high risk of wildfires will persist throughout the week due to the warm and dry conditions.
Tuesday was the high point of the May heatwave in Germany, with temperatures hitting 35C in some places.
READ ALSO: Record EU wildfires ‘burnt more than 1 million hectares in 2025’
Around a fifth of Germans 'smoke occasionally'
Just over 19 percent of people in German smoke occasionally, according to new figures.
Compared to 2021, the proportion has changed very little. At that time, 18.9 percent of the population in Germany reported smoking at least sometimes.
According to the survey, men smoke significantly more often than women.
The analysis shows that in 2025, 22.4 percent of men smoked at least occasionally, whereas for women, the figure was only 15.8 percent.
Smoking is most prevalent among people aged 40 to 44. In this group, the number of smokers stood at 26 percent last year, the federal statistical office reported. They were followed by the 45-to-49 age group, at 25.5 percent.
READ ALSO: How smokers in Germany can get free lung cancer screenings
Younger people also seem to be reaching for cigarettes more often.
In the 15-to-24 age group, the proportion of individuals who smoke at least occasionally rose to 15.6 percent last year, up from 14.5 percent four years earlier.
However, as recently as 2017, 18.3 percent of this age group reported smoking at least occasionally.
German residents call for more school staff and nationwide standards
A large majority of people in Germany want more staff in schools and daycare centres, as well as uniform education standards across the country, according to a new survey by the German Children’s Aid Association.
Education policy in Germany is decided by the individual states, often leading to regional differences in schools.
In the survey, conducted by polling institute Forsa, 93 percent of adults said additional staff in schools and daycare centres was “important” or “very important.” Nationwide learning standards followed closely behind, with 91 percent supporting the idea.
Free education and increased financial support for schools were also among the top priorities for respondents.
Among young people aged 10 to 17, about 88 percent said free daycare, schools and educational materials were important. Meanwhile, 78 percent said refugee children should be able to start school quickly after arriving in Germany.
Around 1,000 adults and young people took part in the online survey in January.
READ ALSO: 'Too easy' - What foreign parents really think of schools in Germany
Berlin Airport scraps ‘BER Runway’ fast-track security lane
Berlin Brandenburg Airport has scrapped its pre-bookable “BER Runway” security lane, citing dwindling passenger demand and changing travel habits.
The scheme, introduced in August 2022, allowed travellers to reserve time slots for security screening in a bid to reduce waiting times and improve predictability. But passengers can no longer book access to the dedicated lane.
Airport officials said the decision followed a sharp fall in usage. In recent weeks, around 90 percent of passengers who had reserved a slot failed to use it, instead opting for regular security checkpoints equipped with new CT scanners.
These allow liquids of up to two litres to remain in carry-on luggage, making them more convenient for travellers.
Since its launch, roughly five million slots have been booked, with average processing times of around ten minutes.
According to the airport, the function of the system has evolved over time, shifting from a time-saving measure to a tool for planning journeys. But with passengers increasingly favouring more flexible screening options, the separate lane has been deemed unneccessary.
READ ALSO: Eurowings to take over routes from Berlin as Ryanair pulls out
With reporting by DPA and Rachel Loxton
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