Poverty in Austria has many faces. Those most affected are single parents, the long-term unemployed, the elderly and the sick. What can you do about it?
Extreme inflation has exposed the wound of poverty. Many people can no longer afford housing, energy and food and are dependent on aid. Who are these people? “We know that very well,” says Martin Schenk of the Poverty Conference in an interview with “Krone”. “Poverty is female, single, she has children, a low-paying job and one or more diseases.” The chronically ill group is often forgotten, says Schenk.
Single parents are most at risk of poverty
Children (30 percent), single mothers (52 percent) and the unemployed (67 percent) are particularly at risk of poverty. The number of working poor has risen to 331,000. Single retired women are also more at risk (28 percent). However, single parents are most at risk. That is why the government has announced extra help for children. But that’s not enough for the experts.
Compensating for inflation alone is not enough
Low-income people have three major problems: housing, energy and food. “The biggest lever is housing,” says Schenk. It is a mistake to think that everything will be fine once we compensate for inflation. In particular, the government has not taken any action on rents because the ÖVP and the Greens could not agree. Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch (Greens) plays the ball to the federal states. These would be given room when it comes to housing and social assistance.
No improvements in the last 15 years
It is striking that there have been slight fluctuations over the past 15 years, but the number of people at risk of poverty has remained the same. That would indicate that politicians have done too little here. The situation has now drastically deteriorated due to high inflation. The poverty conference proposes a reform of social assistance: housing costs must be fully covered. In addition, minimum standards should be the same for all children, regardless of family situation. The amount of the benefit may not depend on the number of brothers and sisters of a child. The minimum standards should be adapted to the at-risk-of-poverty threshold and updated annually.
A reform of the unemployment benefit has been demanded for years because it is relatively low in Austria. Here too the ÖVP and the Greens have failed. A particularly important point in the fight against poverty is education. Children from poor families need more support in order not to become or remain poor as adults.
In the interview with WIFO boss Gabriel Felbermayr you can also read what politicians must do to combat poverty.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
