A growing gap between rich and poor in Germany could sap social cohesion in Europe's largest economy and most populous country, a government report warned on Thursday. "If the differences between poor and rich are felt to be too big in a society, and wealth seems mostly to be acquired without rewarding work, then acceptance of the economic and social order can shrink," the labour ministry study said. The annual report highlighted "the great importance for people that they and their children should be able to increase their social standing, or at least keep it from falling. "If that is called into question, it can cause disquiet in all classes of society," the authors said. Wealth distribution and the risk of falling into poverty have remained steady in Germany "despite the good economic situation and the overall increase in employment," the report found.

Source: The Local March 23, 2017 16:18 UTC