Abstract
Norway is a rich welfare state with universal welfare services and statutory rights to benefits in the event of illness and
unemployment. Recent decades have seen strong wage growth and low unemployment. In the same period the question of how those
in poverty should be defined, and by what criteria, has acquired renewed political relevance. This article sheds light on
poverty in a welfare state with high employment and economic growth. Drawing on data from two samples of Norwegian families
with children, it examines the trend in incomes and living conditions over time: a ‘low-income sample’ below 60 % of median
income, and a ‘control sample’ drawn from the entire income spectrum. The families’ income development is observed from 2000
to 2007, whereas living conditions variables such as consumption, housing and subjective poverty are observed up to 2009.
Research questions examine what share of the families remain below the chosen poverty line of 60 % of median income 8 years
after their selection, what share has risen above the poverty line and how far it has risen. This is followed by an analysis
of the families’ material living conditions and subjective experience of poverty, and the degree to which they experience
deficiencies in all three areas. By way of conclusion the results are used to question the standard assumption that poverty
is a dichotomous condition and hence that the poor are clearly distinguished from the non-poor.
unemployment. Recent decades have seen strong wage growth and low unemployment. In the same period the question of how those
in poverty should be defined, and by what criteria, has acquired renewed political relevance. This article sheds light on
poverty in a welfare state with high employment and economic growth. Drawing on data from two samples of Norwegian families
with children, it examines the trend in incomes and living conditions over time: a ‘low-income sample’ below 60 % of median
income, and a ‘control sample’ drawn from the entire income spectrum. The families’ income development is observed from 2000
to 2007, whereas living conditions variables such as consumption, housing and subjective poverty are observed up to 2009.
Research questions examine what share of the families remain below the chosen poverty line of 60 % of median income 8 years
after their selection, what share has risen above the poverty line and how far it has risen. This is followed by an analysis
of the families’ material living conditions and subjective experience of poverty, and the degree to which they experience
deficiencies in all three areas. By way of conclusion the results are used to question the standard assumption that poverty
is a dichotomous condition and hence that the poor are clearly distinguished from the non-poor.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s12187-012-9157-3
- Authors
- Mona Sandbæk, Departement of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, Oslo and Akershus University College, PB 4 St.Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo, Norway
- Journal Child Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1874-8988
- Print ISSN 1874-897X