Indicator history

In the context of the EU-framework for political cooperation in the field of social protection and social inclusion Austria submitted several national strategic reports. The first Austrian Report on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006-2008 was delivered in 2006. The second report for the period 2008-2010 was submitted in 2008.

The second report contains the following main points:

1. The General Overview comprises socio-economic ratios like economic growth, employment, income, reconciliation of work and family life, educational opportunities, risk of poverty, statutory pension insurance, long-term care or health. Furthermore it contains a General Strategic Approach giving information on the Austrian social system and defining the objectives in accordance with the overarching objectives of the Open Method of Coordination:

a) social cohesion, equality between men and women and equal opportunities for all through adequate, accessible, financially sustainable, adaptable and efficient social protection systems and social inclusion policies

b) effective interaction between the Lisbon objectives of greater economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, as well as with the EU's Sustainable Development Strategy;

c) good governance, transparency and the involvement of stakeholders in the design, implementation and monitoring of policy (p. 7).

2. The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion includes measures concerning more development opportunities for children and young people, measures for labour market integration, a mean-tested guaranteed minimum income and integrative measures in other policy areas.

3. The chapter on National Strategies for Pensions contains the objective of maintaining the statutory pension system and details on the adequacy of pensions, on the financial sustainability of pension systems and on modernising pension systems.

4. The chapter on National Strategies for Health and Long-term Care comprises a description of the health care system, measures in the context of the health reform 2005 and an agreement on the organisation and financing of the health system. Furthermoree it contains details on the access to adequate health-care and the quality of health care. It also reports on the progress and challenges of long-term care.

Source: 

• http://www.red-network.eu/resources/toolip/doc/2012/01/11/austria_en.pdf