The Working Poor in Europe

Employment, Poverty and Globalization

Edited by Hans-Jürgen Andreß, Professor of Social and Economic Research, University of Cologne, Germany and Henning Lohmann, University of Hamburg, Germany

For a long time in-work poverty was not associated with European welfare states. Recently, the topic has gained relevance as welfare state retrenchment and international competition in globalized economies has put increasing pressures on individuals and families. This book provides explanations as to why in-work poverty is high in certain countries and low in others.

‘The book provides important findings on the link between institutions and in-work poverty. The volume makes a significant contribution to this strand of literature as evidence on cross-country differences is scarce. The combination of case studies and comparative quantitative investigations is an interesting approach.’
– Annekatrin Niebuhr, Papers in Regional Science

‘This data-rich book explores the causes of in-work poverty in Europe. . . The balanced provision of theoretical insights and strong empirical support will prove useful to poverty scholars and policymakers alike.’
– Contemporary Sociology

‘A book on in-work poverty could not be timelier. . . At a time when many of the working poor are likely to become the non-working poor this book is a must-read.’
– Zoë Irving, Journal of Social Policy

‘This volume represents a valuable contribution to debates on welfare states, public policy, poverty and social exclusion. It is an empirically rich and analytically robust comparative collection, highlighting the variations between and contradictions of in-work poverty across Europe.’
– Patricia Kennett, University of Bristol, UK