According to a recent survey, only one in two Austrians can make ends meet financially. People with a lower level of education in particular are struggling. Most people do not expect their situation to improve in the coming year.
The opinion research institute Ipsos asked 800 people in all German states about their finances. Only 48 percent say they live comfortably or at least get along well. For people with a lower formal education level, this figure is even lower: 42 percent.
The respondents’ prediction is not optimistic
A majority of respondents did not expect incomes to rise (76 percent) or to stagnate (52 percent). In addition, two-thirds (67 percent) expect unemployment to continue to rise, inflation to rise again (55 percent) and tax increases (46 percent).
At the same time, most people expect household expenses to rise. Three-quarters (76 percent) see grocery costs rising to some degree, and almost as many (71 percent) see total leisure expenses rising. Exactly two-thirds expect higher total health care costs, and more than half (52 percent) expect rising rent and credit costs.
People blame politics for the cost explosion
The reasons given in the Ipsos Cost of Living Monitor include federal government policies (77 percent), the global economy (70 percent) and the war in Ukraine (69 percent) as the top factors for the rising cost of living.
Nearly two-thirds (60 percent) said immigration/migration had contributed very strongly or somewhat strongly to rising costs. Excessive corporate profits were also cited as being responsible.
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.
