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In order to assess the ability to meet vital needs, the income indicators do not suffice. This publication provides statistical information about housing quality, economic difficulties, lack of certain things due to lack of funds based on the common EU methodology.

46.7 per cent of the population were living in the households which were not able to face unexpected financial expenses (EUR 310), 11.6 per cent – in the households which could not afford a meal with meat, fish (or vegetarian equivalent) at least every second day. In 2019, 38.8 per cent of the population were living in the households which could not afford to go for a week’s annual holiday away from home. 35.1 per cent of persons did not face any of the said economic problems, while 1.5 per cent of the population faced all of them. The most difficult situation was in households consisting of one adult with children and one-person households: in such households, respectively, 3.1 and 3.7 per cent of individuals were facing all the problems mentioned.

In urban areas, 38.9 per cent of persons were living in the households where none of the economic difficulties mentioned was faced, in rural areas – 27.1 per cent. There were significantly fewer complaints about the inability to keep home adequately warm among the rural than among the urban population, slightly fewer complaints about inability to pay mortgage or rent utility bills (electricity, water, gas) or hire purchase instalments on time. The rest of the economic problems were faced by the rural population more often than by the urban one.

Share of persons living in households affected by material deprivation in the economic dimension, 2015–2019

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

Persons living in households having a washing machine accounted for 96 per cent, a computer – 81 per cent, a car – 75 per cent. Lack of funds was indicated as the main reason by every fourth person having no computer and by every third person having no washing machine or car.

Population living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold was considerably less well equipped with washing machines, computers and cars. 12 per cent of individuals living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold did not have a washing machine (half of them – due to lack of money), 44 per cent – a computer (14 per cent – due to lack of money), 58 per cent – a car (22 per cent – due to lack of money).

Share of persons affected by material deprivation in each dimension, 2019

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

By place of residence

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

According to Eurostat methodology, a person with an enforced lack of at least three out of six deprivation items in the economic strain and durables dimension is categorised as deprived. The defined list contains five items in the economic strain and one item – car – in the durables dimension. Economic strain items are as follows: the household could not afford 1) to pay arrears (mortgage or rent, utility bills or hire purchase instalments), 2) to go for a week’s annual holiday away from home, 3) to keep home adequately warm, 4) a meal with meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian equivalent at least every second day, 5) to face unexpected financial expenses (the amount of expenditure is equal to monthly poverty threshold of the previous year).

A person with an enforced lack of at least four out of six deprivation items is categorised as severely deprived.

In 2019, material deprivation was faced by 20.9 per cent of the population, of whom 9.4 per cent were facing severe material deprivation. Almost half (46 per cent) of population living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold faced material deprivation, 24 per cent – severe material deprivation. In 2019, persons living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold and facing material deprivation accounted for 9.5 per cent of population, those living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold and facing severe material deprivation – 4.8 per cent. 4.4 per cent of urban population and 5.7 per cent of rural population was living at risk of poverty and facing severe material deprivation.

Compared to 2018, the material deprivation rate decreased by 2.2 percentage points: in urban areas – by 1.7, in rural areas – by 3.5 percentage points. Compared to 2018, the severe material deprivation rate in the country decreased by 1.7 percentage points: in urban areas – by 1.4, in rural areas – 2.5 percentage points.

Distribution of persons below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold by number of material deprivation items faced by the household they live in, 2019

By place of residence

By household type

By age group

Material deprivation rate and severe material deprivation rate, 2019

By place of residence

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

By household type

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

By age group

The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators

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Share of persons affected by material deprivation in each dimension by region and county

For further terms, see the Dictionary of Statistical Terms.