Austrian Poverty Statistics Revealed: High Number of Austrians Struggling Financially
Rewritten Article:
The Austrian landscape in 2024 painted a grim picture with 336,000 people living in absolute poverty, according to Statistics Austria. This equates to a staggering 3.7% of the population living in households. Despite a significant increase in 2023, this number remained stagnant compared to the previous year.
Simultaneously, 1.529 million Austrians, representing 16.9% of the population, teetered on the precipice of poverty or social exclusion. These numbers seemed unchanged from the year prior, although the situation had drastically altered for many in 2022, where 2.3% of the population or 201,000 individuals plunged into absolute poverty.
This unfortunate cohort of Austrians struggled to cover unexpected expenses totaling €1,390 or even take a vacation. Yet, the numbers presented a twisted picture of equality, as the divide between those with higher and lower educational backgrounds widened.
Individuals with only compulsory education faced a stark reality. They represented 9.7% of this demographic, grappling with severe material and social disadvantages. Their income lagged an alarming 17.5% behind the median of the overall population. On the contrary, those boasting university or academy degrees enjoyed an income that surged over 24% above the median.
Alarmingly, 1.288 million Austrians, accounting for 14.3% of the population, remained at risk of poverty. Although this statistic did not show a significant change from the previous year, it failed to provide insights into whether these households struggled to make ends meet with their income.
The disheartening scene was further underlined by the fact that 1.529 million Austrians grappled with poverty or social exclusion. This represented 16.9% of the population in private households, encompassing those living in absolute poverty, those with earnings below 60% of the median income, or those struggling with low employment rates.
Volkshilfe, a vocal advocate for the underprivileged, sounded the alarm as 344,000 children and young people battled poverty or social exclusion. Director Erich Fenninger called for the swift implementation of the child basic security promised in the government's program. Meanwhile, the Poverty Conference and Caritas urged for the joint design of child basic security and social assistance.
The FPO weighed in on the dismal figures, describing them as "extremely alarming." Social spokesperson Dagmar Belakowitsch took the government to task for its perceived ineffective measures against inflation. She demanded a prioritization of Austrian citizens over "illegal asylum seekers in the country."
European initiatives like the European Child Guarantee, European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, and the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, among several others, aimed at battling child poverty across the continent. Meanwhile, within Austria, recovery, and resilience plans, increased minimum wage, and government support for childcare were part of broader social policies. Community-driven initiatives, early childhood support, and targeted programs for disadvantaged families were strategies to address child poverty at a grassroots level, although specific Austrian initiatives from Volkshilfe, the Poverty Conference, and Caritas were not delved into in the results. To fully understand the proposals of these organizations, one may need to consult their official communications or reports directly.
- In 2024, Austria recorded a concerning 3.7% of its population living in absolute poverty within households, as reported by Statistics Austria.
- Despite the annexing of personal-finance safety-nets in 2023, the number of Austrians at risk of poverty or social exclusion remained stagnant at 16.9%.
- By 2024, Austrians without university or academy degrees still faced an income lag of 17.5% behind the median of the overall population.
- Moving forward, Volkshilfe's call for the prompt implementation of child basic security, as part of the government's program, aims to alleviate the plight of 344,000 children and young people currently battling poverty or social exclusion in Austria.
