According to a recent survey, the number one concern for Austrians is the rising cost of living. / Photo: © Vindobona.org
The increasingly unaffordable cost of living is currently a major concern for Austrians. This was revealed by the IFES survey commissioned by Union GPA, conducted in November and his December. According to the Der Standard, 86% were very or somewhat concerned about this, followed by worsening savings and health care systems, a widening gap between rich and poor, and a widespread economic crisis. rice field.
And according to Der Standard, the survey surveyed 1,000 residents over the age of 16, both by phone and online, and found that 73% were most concerned about climate change. The digitalization of society was the least concern of those surveyed. This was followed by cuts to the welfare state or social system, restrictions on democratic rights, and increased unemployment. Concerns about costs, health care, economic instability, and democracy have increased compared to previous surveys in 2000.
According to the study’s authors, Austrian concerns are widespread and extend across all social classes. Women were particularly affected by the crisis and raised concerns. Women are more worried about the cost of living than men, with 89% of them and 83% of them, respectively. Low-income groups were more likely to experience financial hardship. It was emphasized that the problem itself spans all income groups. Concerns about the climate crisis have hardly been dampened by other crises. NOEN said there were growing concerns about restrictions on democratic rights and economic development.
The GPA saw this as an opportunity and demanded more commitment from politicians to deal with the impact of the crisis. Politicians also carried out some demands of trade unions. GPA Chair Barbara Tabor demanded that “a corporation cannot have money but a large number of dependent employees without it,” and private households need further relief. We need. The union is calling for a price cap on heat from all sources and temporary tax breaks on food, fuel, public transport tickets, electricity and gas. Mileage caps need to be raised, and rent increases are capped. Unemployment benefits will also be increased, according to GPA, and unemployment assistance is indexed.
