Family Benefits in Austria
Longer-term Developments and Current Reforms
In terms of economic performance, family benefits in Austria are slightly higher than the average of the OECD countries as a whole and the EU countries within the OECD. Monetary family benefits still clearly outweigh benefits in kind. Due to the expansion of childcare facilities, particularly since the end of the 2000s, the share of cash benefits had declined continuously; however, with the introduction of the Family Bonus Plus in 2019, it has increased again somewhat. At the same time, incentives for a higher participation of fathers have been set in the last two decades and the reconciliation of family and work has been improved for both parents.