Income and living conditions of the population of Lithuania (edition 2021)
Material deprivation
Photo from Unsplash.com
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.
41.8 per cent of the population were living in the households which were not able to face unexpected financial expenses (EUR 350), 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 2020, 35.5 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. 40.8 per cent of persons did not face any of the said economic problems, while 1.2 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, 3.2 and 7.2 per cent of individuals were facing all the problems mentioned.
In urban areas, 44.6 per cent of persons were living in the households where none of the economic difficulties mentioned was faced, in rural areas – 33 per cent. There were significantly fewer complaints about the inability to keep home adequately warm among the rural than among the urban population. 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, 2016–2020
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
Persons living in households having a washing machine accounted for 97 per cent, a computer – 82 per cent, a car – 74 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. 10 per cent of individuals living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold did not have a washing machine (4 per cent – due to lack of money), 45 per cent – a computer (15 per cent – due to lack of money), 60 per cent – a car (20 per cent – due to lack of money).
Share of persons affected by material deprivation in each dimension, 2020
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 2020, material deprivation was faced by 18.5 per cent of the population, of whom 7.7 per cent were facing severe material deprivation. 42.8 per cent of population living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold faced material deprivation, 22.9 per cent – severe material deprivation. In 2020, persons living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold and facing material deprivation accounted for 9 per cent of population, those living below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold and facing severe material deprivation – 4.8 per cent. 4.2 per cent of urban population and 6.1 per cent of rural population was living at risk of poverty and facing severe material deprivation.
Compared to 2019, the material deprivation rate decreased by 2.4 percentage points: in urban areas – by 3.3, in rural areas – by 0.4 percentage point. Compared to 2019, the severe material deprivation rate in the country decreased by 1.7 percentage points: in urban areas – decreased by 2.5, in rural areas – increased by 0.1 percentage point.
Distribution of persons below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold by number of material deprivation items faced by the household they live in, 2020
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
Material deprivation rate and severe material deprivation rate, 2020
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
In 2020, 11 per cent of persons aged 16 and older could not afford to replace worn-out clothes by some new (not second-hand) ones. Every ninth (11 per cent) person could not afford to get together with friends or family (relatives) for a drink or meal at least once a month, 24 per cent – could not afford to regularly participate in a leisure activity (go to the cinema and theatre, to do sports), 15 per cent – could not afford to spend a small amount of money each week on oneself.
Incapability to afford to replace at least part of worn-out clothes by some new more was less often indicated by persons aged 16–24 (4 per cent) than older persons. The smallest number of persons who limit themselves due to lack of funds was recorded in the 25–39 age group.
Due to lack of funds, 28 per cent of persons living at risk of poverty could afford to buy only second-hand clothes, 26 per cent – could not afford to get together with friends or family (relatives) for a drink or meal at least once a month, 44 per cent – did not participate in a leisure activity.
Share of persons aged 16 and older who cannot afford the following, 2019–2020
The latest and detailed data are available in the Database of Indicators
Share of persons aged 16 and older who cannot afford the following, 2020
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
By age group
More:
Share of persons affected by material deprivation in each dimension by region and county
For further terms, see the Dictionary of Statistical Terms.