More than 30 percent of Austrians limit themselves when purchasing food. This is evident from a study by Statistics Netherlands into the social consequences of the crisis in the fourth quarter of 2023. About three percent even indicate that they often or sometimes cannot eat enough.
Unemployed people and single parents in particular have suffered from hunger in recent months. Another 29 percent said their household could buy enough food, but not always the food they wanted. According to Statistics Austria, this data on food poverty was collected for the first time.
The 3,200 respondents (18 to 74 years old) also struggled with housing and energy costs. For about one in five people this means a heavy financial burden; 17 percent expect payment problems in the next three months. The data was collected in November and December.
16 percent have difficulty with income
Respondents consider inflation to be the main cause of income loss. In the fourth quarter, 16 percent had difficulty making ends meet. More than one in four people (28 percent) indicate that they have suffered a loss of income in the past twelve months. This share has fallen compared to last year.
Rauch: Providing people with essentials
“The fact that people in a rich country like Austria remain hungry is completely unacceptable to me,” said Minister of Social Affairs and Health Johannes Rauch (Greens). In the black-blue governed federal states, the existing options are not even used to provide people in poverty with the basic necessities of life. In addition, basic child protection, for example, is necessary.
Based on the results, Anna Parr, Secretary General of Caritas Austria, called for higher unemployment benefits, higher emergency aid and compensation payments. The payments may not fall below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold.
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.
