The inflationary crisis has clear social consequences: 201,000 people in Austria were materially and socially disadvantaged in 2022. This means that 2.3 percent of the population could not afford a number of expenses, such as new furniture, a holiday or a reasonably warm apartment. In 2021 there were still 160,000 people or 1.8 percent of the population. Women and single parents are particularly affected. And the situation in hospitals is also becoming increasingly precarious. It will probably not work there in the future without help from abroad.
Statistics Austria announced this on Thursday. According to the EU definition, someone who cannot afford at least seven of the 13 characteristics and activities of daily living is considered materially and socially disadvantaged. These range from unexpected expenses of 1300 euros to one holiday per year to a reasonably warm apartment.
Of the 201,000 people affected, women aged 18 and older made up the largest group at 95,000 or 47 percent. In addition, 70,000 men over the age of 18 (35 percent) and 36,000 children and youth (18 percent) were among those affected by absolute poverty.
Single-parent families are most at risk
People in single-parent families are most at risk of significant material and social problems. At 12.7 percent, this group was five times more likely to be severely materially and socially disadvantaged than the general population. Single women (excluding retirees) were the second most affected group by lifestyle at 5.7 percent.
Social Security benefits kiss worse
Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) explained that the social situation in Austria had remained “largely stable” in a year of very high inflation. “This shows that we are on the right track with our aid measures,” Rauch emphasized in a broadcast. However, one thing is clear to him: “Poverty reduction remains a central task for politicians. Every person in poverty is one too many.”
The good news for the Minister of Social Affairs is: “The welfare state supports. Without social benefits and pensions, the number of people at risk of poverty would be three times as high.” This year he wants to pay extra attention to the fight against child poverty. In the “ZiB 2” of the ORF, he also explained that he, together with Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, wanted to invite the food trade to clarify why products had doubled or even tripled in price.
Rauch: “Without a paradigm shift, we will lose”
In the interview, Rauch also reiterated that there would have to be a billion in nursing to relieve the burden on the hospitals, otherwise the health system would no longer be affordable in five years. The doctors’ frustration is very great because there are not enough staff and payment is not appropriate. However, according to the minister, it is difficult to remedy the situation quickly. Structural reforms are needed.
In the future, doctors from abroad, among others, will be recruited. The politician explained that this step was simply necessary due to the demographic situation. In this area, politicians have made many mistakes in the past by telling people that everything from the outside is bad. A paradigm shift is needed and, according to Rauch, a culture of welcome must be cultivated again – “otherwise we lose”, he warned at the end.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
