Material deprivation of households in the czech republic in comparison with selected eu countries based on eu-silc income statistics

DOI: 10.5176/2251-2098_EMG16

Authors: Ing. Jana Turčínková, Prof. Ing. Jana Stávková, Bc. et Bc. Naďa Birčiaková

Abstract: The issue of poverty of inhabitants is a more and more intensely discussed category as it prevents healthy socio-economic development of the society. The paper deals with households at risk of poverty in a relative concept and also in a wider definition. If a household does not reach the limit of 0.6 of the median income of sample of all households, it is at risk of poverty. The analysis of the wider definition of the category consists in an identification and analysis of factors of material deprivation. The explored factors are the burden imposed by housing expenses, ownership of selected durables, financial affordability of basic requirements such as a holiday away from home and meat, ability to keep home adequately warm. The source of the data used was the survey “Living conditions”, which is the national module of the European project EU-SILC (European Union – Statistics on Income and Living Conditions). In consequence, in spite of the proved stronger economic position of Czech households, we were able to identify problematic expenditure areas causing deprivation and to compare them with selected European countries, namely Finland, France, Spain and Great Britain. The main source of trouble seems to be the rising cost of housing.

Keywords: EU-SILC; income; style; material deprivation; poverty