Figure has risen

3.7 percent in Austria live in absolute poverty

3.7 percent of people in Austria's private households cannot afford everyday expenses. This is shown by new figures from Statistics Austria.

(Bild: bilderstoeckchen - stock.adobe.com)

3.7 percent of the population in Austria's private households can no longer afford to live on a daily basis. This means, for example, that unexpected expenses amounting to 1370 euros cannot be paid. In addition, 17.5 percent are at risk of poverty or marginalization.

This was announced by Statistics Austria on Thursday. Anyone who cannot afford at least seven of 13 EU-defined characteristics and activities of daily living is considered to be severely materially and socially disadvantaged. These include, for example, unexpected expenses amounting to 1370 euros such as a repair or health expenses as well as a vacation per year. In 2022, 2.3% of the population was affected by this situation, compared to 3.7% in the previous year.

Children and young people particularly affected
Among the absolute poor, children and young people under the age of 18 were particularly affected (5.3%), with people in single-parent households at the highest risk. Families with at least two adults and three or more children were also particularly affected by poverty last year. One risk factor for poverty is low or no employment.

Children are repeatedly affected by poverty (symbolic image).

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

The household income is used as a measure of the risk of poverty. In 2023, the threshold for a single-person household was 1572 euros per month. According to the EU definition, 14.9 percent of the population in Austria are considered at risk of poverty. However, according to Statistics Austria, this says nothing about the extent to which households can make ends meet with their disposable income.

Rauch: Need basic child protection
"High inflation in particular has exacerbated the situation of people affected by poverty," said Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) in a press release. Among other things, he spoke out in favor of a basic child protection scheme that would bundle existing benefits. "The fact that children have to grow up in poverty is completely unacceptable to me. Child poverty prevents them from having opportunities for the future and costs us an enormous amount of money - over 17 billion euros a year according to the OECD study."

The fact that children have to grow up in poverty is completely unacceptable to me. Child poverty blocks their future opportunities.

Sozialminister Johannes Rauch

The FPÖ, Volkshilfe, the Red Cross, the Austrian food banks and Caritas were among those who reacted to the new figures. "If 17.7 percent of people in one of the richest countries in the world are at risk of poverty and exclusion and this percentage is constantly on the rise, this can only be described as a disgrace," said FPÖ social spokesperson Dagmar Belakowitsch. Among other things, the statements call for more affordable housing, improved housing assistance, affordable kindergarten places, "poverty-proof" family benefits and higher unemployment benefits.

Raab: Highest family benefits in the EU
Family Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) pointed out in a press release that Austria already pays out the highest family benefits in the EU. "Inflation has been a challenge in recent years, to which the abolition of the creeping tax increase and the anti-inflation package for families were among the responses. A particularly central point is the increase in family benefits, which has cushioned a large part of the inflation that has occurred since 2021 (...)."