6.2% of residents in Latvia were subjected to deep material and social deprivation last year, which is 1.6 percentage points less than in 2022, when the proportion of such residents was 7.8%, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSP).
Material and social deprivation is much more common among residents with the lowest income (first quintile group). Nevertheless, deep material and social deprivation in this group is down – reaching 18% in 2023. When compared to 2022, it is a drop of 4.3 percentage points, CSP reports.
At the same time, considering that this index uses a subjective value, a small portion or 0.6% of the wealthiest residents (five quintile group) also show certain signs of multiple types of material and social deprivation, adds the statistical office.
Although deep material and social deprivation is down, 59.9% of residents believe they are unable to secure at least one of 13 basic necessities (58.1% in 2022).
CSP notes that the proportion of residents who cannot afford a vacation outside their home has increased slightly – from 29.6% in 2022 to 32.9% in 2023, the proportion of residents who cannot afford to replace old furniture in their home has increased from 25.6% in 2022 to 27.7% in 2023, the proportion of residents who cannot pay for utilities on time has increased from 44.6% in 2022 to 45.5% in 2023.
The proportion of residents who cannot afford to meet with friends at least once a month is down. There are slightly fewer residents who cannot afford two appropriate pairs of shoes – from 6.2% in 2022 to 4.8% in 2023.
In 2023, a total of 49.4% of residents could afford to regularly participate in various outdoor activities, which is a drop of 1.8 percentage points less when compared to 2022. 17.4% (17.5% in 2022) could not afford that due to shortage of money. 33.3% (31.1% in 2022) could not participate for other reasons.
Residents are considered deeply socially and materially deprived if they meet at least seven out of 13 signs of deprivation.
The basic needs include the need cover utilities, rent or repay credit, to financially afford to keep the home warm, to cover sudden unforeseen expenses at your own expense, to eat meat, poultry or fish (or equivalent vegetarian food) every other day, to go away for one week each year, to use a car for your own needs, to replace worn-out furniture in your home with new ones, to replace your worn clothes with new ones, provide yourself with two pairs of shoes that are in good condition and suitable for everyday activities, spend a small amount of money only on yourself, buy something or do something for yourself, regularly participate in recreational activities outside the home, which are related to the cost of money, meet friends/relatives at least once a month for a shared meal or a glass of drink, and provide the internet in one’s home for private use when necessary.
Quintile group is 20% of interviewed households, grouped based on available income per household member.
Also read: Latvian authorities urge Latvians to refrain from travelling to Russia and Belarus
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Proportion of Latvian population exposed to social deprivation goes down
