This paper explores the link between the ‘welfare mix’ (the configuration of three welfare delivery systems labor market, welfare state, family), and its distributive outcome (income, material living conditions) and social cleavages (social class, generation, gender, region, family). The focus is on disposable income, poverty, and living standards. The analyses are comparative (comparing 14 European union (EU) member states) and longitudinal (Sweden 1963-1998). The EU appears to be divided in three rather distinct and homogeneous clusters: 1.a Nordic cluster (‘institutional welfare states’) exhibiting high employment rates and social expenditure, but weak family ties; coupled with lower poverty rates, as well as income inequality (Gini); 2.a Southern cluster (‘family welfare states’) characterized by low employment, lower social expenditure, but strong traditional families, coupled with higher poverty rates and income inequality; 3.a central European cluster in intermediate position concerning welfare mix as well as distributive outcome. UK joins the southern cluster with high levels of income inequality and poverty. The corresponding Swedish trend analysis also establishes the link between welfare mix and changes in distributive outcome. The paper discusses the logic of these three patterns with respect to the division of responsibility for welfare delivery, the emergence of these patterns, and their efficiency in reducing inequality, poverty and social exclusion. The corresponding analysis of morbidity and mortality does not establish an equally clear link with the institutional configuration. Possible explanations will be discussed. See www.scb.se
Learning Objectives: This paper explores the link between the welfare system, living standards and health outomes, comparing the EU countries and analyzing Sweden over 35 years.
Keywords: Economic Analysis, Public Health Infrastructure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Swedish Statistical central Bureau
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.