Last year, almost 200,000 people were dependent on a minimum income or social assistance benefit. The costs for this amounted to 1.1 billion euros. 73 percent of this was caused by Vienna, where the vast majority of recipients live. And the prospects also seem catastrophic.
The annual accounts of all states for social assistance and minimum income for the past year are now available. And the figures should set off alarm sirens for those responsible. The states have already spent 1.1 billion euros in 2023 on supporting services such as living costs, housing or medical assistance. That is an increase of 13.1 percent or about 128 million euros compared to 2022. A significant increase – because recipients have increased by “only” 3.7 percent in the same period. Where does the money go?
Nearly 200,000 recipients throughout Austria
Across Austria, 196,973 people needed support last year. But the number did not increase in all states. In Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Tyrol they even fell. Most recipients were in Vienna in 2023. 72 percent of all social cases live in the federal capital. The city of Vienna alone transferred more than 806 million euros to them last year. Styria follows in second place, spending just under a tenth, or around 80 million euros.
Austrians in the minority
What is striking: overall, recipients with red-white-red passports are already in the minority. According to Statistics Austria, only 41.3 percent are Austrian citizens. Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Vienna reach the finish. Vienna is particularly important here. Of the 142,001 people in minimum security, 52,402 are entitled to asylum and 10,173 to subsidiary protection. By comparison, in the rest of Austria last year, only 16,680 people entitled to asylum and 905 people entitled to subsidiary protection were dependent on social assistance or a minimum income.
The costs for 2024 could be significantly higher
And the forecast for the current year does not look very rosy: Vienna has just increased the estimated 900 million for this year’s minimum income by more than 200 million euros – so it needs as much in 2024 as the whole of Austria in 2023.
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.
