deutsch
Contact

Fields of research

Poverty and wealth

European Comparisons

Migration

Public Services

Politics

Right-wing populism

Elections

Economy and Finance

Poverty and wealth

Mindestsicherung Österreich

Guaranteed minimum resources in Austria 2017

July 2017, MMag.aBarbara Hauenschild, Robert Pelikan BA, 18 pages

The needs-oriented guaranteed minimum resources was introduced as a largely uniform benefit in all Austrian states in 2010. Since 2017, this nation-wide agreement has ceased to exist and the differences in the level of minimum allowance and waiting periods are increasing in Austria’s federal states. Lower Austria, Upper Austria and the Burgenland have introduced a “light”-version for people who have not spent 5 of the last 6 years in Austria, as well as a cap at 1,500 euros for families.

report, in German (pdf)

Guaranteed minimum resources within the EU

July 2017, Elisabeth Kleinlercher, BA, Robert Pelikan, BA, 68 pages

The needs-oriented guaranteed minimum resources were established as social benefit system in Austria. What social benefit systems do other EU countries have? The ÖGPP has compared seven selected states resp. systems (Denmark, Germany, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain) with Austria. Naturally, due to their different welfare state traditions, none of these systems are the same; however, they have one common goal - to get people in the labour market.

report, in German (pdf)

Poverty in the European Union 2014 - Countries, Regions, Cities

October 2016, Mag.a Susanne Halmer, BA, 105 Pages

At the current time (2014), around 83,5 million people (17%) in the European Union are at risk of poverty. A quarter of EU citizens are at risk of poverty and exclusion. Despite the “Strategy 2020” formulated by the EU in order to free 20 million people from risk of poverty, it remains high in the EU.

report, in German (pdf)

Poverty in the European Union 2013 - Countries, Regions, Cities

October 2015, Mag.a Susanne Halmer, BA, 106 Pages

At the current time (2013), around 83,5 million people in the European Union are at risk of poverty. In 2010, it was 80 million EU citizens. One of the 5 main goals of the EU’s “Europe 2020 Strategy”, was the reduction of poverty by 20 million people until the year 2020. Current trends cast doubts about the achievement of this objective, since poverty is still a massive problem. And this is not only the case in emerging nations, but also in economically established countries. While Austria is below the average in a European comparison, it is still not amongst the leading group when it comes to poverty reduction. This means that even in one of the world’s richest countries there is a serious poverty issue.

report, in German (pdf)

What the "Europe 2020" Strategy means for fighting poverty in Austria

October 2013, Susanne Halmer, 7 pages

Within the scope of the Europe 2020 Strategy, Austria has set herself the goal to lift 235,000 people out of poverty by 2020. But what must Austria do to actually achieve this EU target?

report, in German (pdf)

Guaranteed minimum resources in Austria 2012

October 2012, MMag.a Barbara Hauenschild, 20 pages

The needs-oriented guaranteed minimum resources is a success story, as Social Minister Hundstorfer has recently stated, because many people could be brought into work. However, a comparison of the implementation by the federal states also shows that the systems are - despite uniform minimum standards - regionally very differently designed. The federal states use the opportunity given to them to grant higher benefits than the mandatory minimum standards. That also means that the place of residence still determines the amount of the financial benefit. For single-parent households with one child, the difference in support amounts to around € 100 a month, depending on whether they live in Carinthia or Upper Austria. This difference even rises to €140 a month for couples with two children, depending on whether they live in Carinthia or Vienna.

report, in German (pdf)

Poverty in the European Union

October 2012, Susanne Halmer, 96 pages

80 million people living in the European Union are currently at risk of poverty. The Europe 2020 Strategy defines the reduction of poverty by 20 million by 2020 as one of its core targets. How close resp. how far remote the realisation of this target is, is shown in an overview of the most recent at-risk-of-poverty quotas according to countries, regions and cities. This illustrates that poverty is still a massive problem and a great affliction in particular to certain demographic groups. In the EU for example, every second unemployed person, every third single-parent household and every fifth child (up to 18 years) is at risk of poverty. The situation for risk groups in individual countries is far more dramatic. The sometimes widely differing risk-of-poverty quotas reflect the differences of the Member States in respect of social benefits, pension systems and economic power. Compared to other European countries, Austria, even if she is below average, is not part of the leading group. This means that even one of the world’s richest countries has a serious poverty problem.

report, in German (pdf)

Living in the City of Innsbruck (2012)

March 2012, Susanne Halmer, Barbara Hauenschild, 54 pages

The study “Living in Innsbruck” depicts the current trends relating to the employment sector and the cost of living, showing their impact on the risk of poverty in Innsbruck. Not even half of the Innsbruck residents have a normal or full time job; a third of all employees only have a part time job. Even gainful employment does not sufficiently protect against poverty. 2,700 Innsbruck residents are regarded as “working poor”. Overall, 20,400 Innsbruck residents are affected by poverty, whilst at the same time wealth is growing. Household expenditure in Innsbruck is above average and on the increase. In particular the high housing costs represent a significant burden for many Innsbruck residents.

report, in German (pdf)

Poverty and wealth in Carinthia 2010

December 2012, Andreas Höferl, Barbara Hauenschild, Susanne Halmer, 79 pages

A gap between poverty and wealth also exists in Carinthia. At least 55,000 people or 10 % of the Carinthian population are at risk of poverty. The situation also shows in Carinthia that work increasingly less protects against poverty. 23,000 people in Carinthia live as “working poor” and are at risk of poverty in spite of gainful employment, whereby this situation has a particular impact on children. Most recently, 16,100 children under 18 living in Carinthia were at risk of poverty. For many of them, this state of affairs will not improve in future, as poverty is passed on from one generation to the next. However, there are also changes at the other end of the social scale, as the number of Carinthian residents on a high income (over 200 % of the average income) has risen by 31 % over the past five years.

report, in German (pdf)

The social situation in Lower Austria 2010

February 2010, Andreas Höferl, Barbara Hauenschild, Susanne Halmer, 33 pages

The gap between poverty and wealth is widening - also in Lower Austria. About 170,000 people or 11 % of the population are at risk of poverty. Of this number, about 96,000 people are living in manifest poverty. Work does less and less protect against poverty. 67,000 people are living as “working poor” and are at risk of poverty in spite of gainful employment. Even though for a third of the population social benefits and pensions represent their main source of income, these are not sufficient. Unemployment benefits, social benefits, compensatory allowances and social assistance levels are below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold. At the same time, there are also changes at the other end of the social scale, as the number of Lower Austrians on a high income (over 200 % of the average income) has increased by 31 % by 2008 - in only six years.

report, in German (pdf)

2. Poverty and Wealth Report for Austria

January 2009, Andreas Höferl, Barbara Hauenschild, Susanne Halmer, 161 pages

In Austria, about 1 million people still live in households with an income, which is under the at-risk-of-poverty line. Until recently (2006), the at-risk-of-poverty quota was at an unchanged high level (between 12 and 13 % of the population). Up to 2 million people find it difficult to make ends meet. In contrast, about 700,000 people live in households with a high income. Assets and wealth have once again experienced a strong increase over the past years. On about 160 pages, the Second Poverty and Wealth Report for Austria provides a current status on poverty and wealth in our country.

report, in German (pdf)

Poverty and Wealth Report for Austria

August 2004, Andreas Höferl, Paul Pöchhacker, 92 pages

On 92 pages and based on countless data and facts, this first "Poverty and Wealth Report for Austria" confirms what many have already suspected: in Austria, both poverty and wealth are on the increase. Meanwhile, Austria’s rich share more than 2,100 billion euros in financial and material assets. To which extent, in particular riches exist and grow, exceeds all expectations. And still, there is a public discussion going on as to how the benefits of the poorest in Austria could be cut. The Report provides many arguments, why and how wealth should contribute to the common good.

report, in German (pdf)

  • 1
   Impressum      Datenschutz