IchBinArmutsbetroffen

#IchBinArmutsbetroffen (German for "I am affected by poverty") is a German social media movement and hashtag campaign highlighting issues of poverty, social exclusion, and inequality in Germany. The phrase has become a rallying call on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Bluesky, where thousands have shared first-person accounts and demands for greater political visibility regarding poverty and hardship.

The hashtag first appeared on May 12, 2022, when a single mother, pseudonym "Finkulasa", published a tweet calling others affected by poverty to speak up AbOUT their experiences. The message quickly went viral, with more than 100,000 posts shared within a few weeks. The hashtag gave a platform to individuals experiencing various forms of poverty – including single parents, pensioners, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers.

In Germany, approximately 16% of the population is considered at risk of poverty, while around 20% are regarded as socially excluded. The COVID-19 pandemic and rising energy prices since the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022 have further intensified the issue, with many struggling to afford basic living expenses.

Within days of its launch, #IchBinArmutsbetroffen became a trending topic on social media in Germany. Major news outlets and public figures reported on the campaign, emphasizing the growing threat of poverty and the importance of combatting stigma. Journalist described the hashtag as a way to break the "spiral of shame" associated with poverty in Germany. In the Bundestag, Janine Wissler (The Left) referenced several #IchBinArmutsbetroffen tweets, calling on politicians to address the dire situation.

International media, including the BBC, also covered the movement as a sign of growing frustration with economic hardship and political inaction.

The digital movement soon spread offline, with supporters, activists, and affected individuals organizing protests and demonstrations in cities such as Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, and Bochum. The goal was to raise visibility and reduce stigma around living in poverty.

On October 14, 2022, a major demonstration took place in front of the Federal Chancellery (Berlin), demanding stronger support for people affected by poverty and urging politicians to do more as energy and living costs soared.

Scholars, such as Holger Schoneville and Helen Dambach at the University of Duisburg-Essen, have analyzed the #IchBinArmutsbetroffen hashtag as an example of precarious political participation and digital articulation of poverty.

• Poverty in Germany
• Hashtag activism
• Social movements
• Digital activism