A glass of sparkling wine for twelve and a few Frankfurters for more than ten euros, a luxury box for a bargain price of 23,600 euros: high society gets its money’s worth at the Opera Ball. An Austrian with an average salary would have to work 244 days for the most expensive lodge.
The Viennese social event of the year is expensive, almost unaffordable entertainment for the average consumer: with a median income of 96.6 euros (based on a single day), he would have to work 244 days for the most expensive boxes.
The calculation experiment makes the income gap* particularly clear: while men with a median income of EUR 110.57 per day would only have to work 213 days, women (median income EUR 78.53) would need almost a whole year with 300 days to get the most out of it. to earn their income. expensive card.
“What workers earn in two-thirds of a year, the rich spend in one evening on a lodge,” summarizes AK economist Matthias Schnetzer.
’21 billion euros dances at the Opera Ball’
The expert also conducted further numerical experiments. “If approximately the audience of recent years is present, then you can assume that about 21 billion euros will be danced at the Opera Ball,” says the AK researcher. In addition, the scientist added the average wealth of Austria’s richest five percent (8.75 billion euros) to that of past prom guests such as crystal heiress Fiona Swarovski (3.7 billion euros), industrial widow Ingrid Flick (four billion euros) or Investor Georg Stumpf (five billion euros).
Will Ingrid Flick, who is among the top 10 richest Austrians according to the trend ranking, come to the ball? Schnetzer also used the billionaire for a calculation experiment. “If you wanted to make a polonaise of average Austrians, it would be 12.5 kilometers long and could go around the Wiener Ring more than twice before reaching Flick’s fortune.”
*Because income data for 2022 is not yet available, the researcher used the 2021 figures. According to Statistics Austria, around 1.5 million people were at risk of poverty at the time, equivalent to 14.7 percent of all households.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
