Jobs are increasing. Income is growing. Yet social welfare benefits are up. A 12 percent drop in unemployment beneficiaries from 1991 to 1996 has been offset by an 11 percent increase in domestic purpose beneficiaries, a 68 percent rise in sickness beneficiaries and a 44 percent increase in invalid beneficiaries.
Current trends point to still more dependence ahead.
Unmarried teen pregnancy and youth suicide rates are higher than similar countries. The government is trying to reverse such trends by increasing incentives to work and offering more job training opportunities. Youth unemployment benefits in particular are being trimmed. Beneficiaries usually are interviewed twice a year. Recipients are told they must give something back to the taxpayers, including serious efforts to get and keep jobs.