Armut und sozialer Zusammenhalt in Südosteuropa
Poverty and social cohesion in Southeast Europe

Summary/Abstract: Abstract. Poverty and social exclusion are important aspects of development that increasingly attract the attention of economists. For the Southeast European countries, i. e. the Western Balkan countries plus Bulgaria and Romania, progress toward a peaceful, stable region with sustainable growth is intertwined with the eradication of poverty and with the strengthening of social cohesion. Economic development in these countries is clearly on a lower level than in the countries of Central Europe. Following an overview of the economic development and the spreading of poverty in the region, the author applies the concept of social exclusion to explain the causes and consequences of poverty. He concentrates on two essential areas: labour market exclusion and the lack of access to education. Both are important factors influencing the region’s current state of poverty and social inequality. The contribution closes with suggested strategies for poverty reduction.

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