Finansowanie nieodpłatnych świadczeń społecznych i ich wpływ na poziom życia obywateli NRD

Abstract

The share of social benefits in the population’s incomes tends to grow in the GDR. The structure of these benefits points at the highest preference given to welfare prices, health protection and socio-welfare assistance. An equally important problem is that of housing. It is envisaged that the housing problem will be solved in 1990. Welfare prices (price subsidies from the budget) aim at stabilization of consumers real incomes. Owing to it, prices of basic consumer goods have not been changed for 30 years now (meat, bread, butter, milk and other foodstuffs, as well as costs of heating, transport, electricity, communication and postal services). Education is almost completely free of charge. Cultural services are paid for in 30 per cent. The highest pay¬ments exist in the case of health insurance, whose rates are split between the population and the enterprise (state). Medical treatment is determined, however, not by payment abilities but by medical requirements.