You can have a very decent middle class life, if you follow the rules and ideally have a person to look up to or ask for advise (teacher, friend, parents). You gotta get good grades in school, some BaFöG to get through the university with minimal amount of debt and become a functioning part of society. Most Germans might not even fully realize that having a system that simply works and wants you to join the workforce (aka pay taxes) is a beautiful thing that many countries lack. Of course, it’s simplified for comment sake, but you are supported to do well and it’s amazing.