Poverty, Social Exclusion and Social Policy in the Czech Republic

Abstract

This article analyses the pattern of poverty and social exclusion in the Czech Republic and the impact of social policy on this pattern. The analysis is mostly based on data from the Czech Survey on Social Conditions of Households (  ;  ,  respondents); Eurostat data provide a benchmark for making international comparisons. The poverty rate in the Czech Republic is among the lowest in Europe. On the other hand, material deprivation, as well as concentration of poverty within specific population groups, is high, with the unemployed facing the highest risk of poverty. Social policy measures in effect reinforce this pattern: while the benefit system is highly redistributive and effectively eliminates income poverty among households of employed persons and among pensioners, incomes of persons outside paid employment are protected less effectively. Labour market policy measures are insufficient in scope and inadequate in targeting groups which are facing the highest risk of labour market exclusion and poverty. We argue that although this practice is effective at present, it is not sustainable in the long term.

Two faces of peripherality: labour markets, poverty, and population dynamics in Hungary and Czechia

“…Second, distinct spatial patterns of ethnic composition have influenced the forms of peripheralisation. The Roma are among the most vulnerable groups in both countries in terms of social exclusion (Revenga et al 2002, Sirovátka-Mareš 2006, the Roma population lives predominantly in urbanised areas in Czechia as a result of communist-era industrialisation and resettlement policies. The Roma in Hungary are primarily concentrated in rural, often inaccessible areas.…”

Predicting Online and Offline Civic Participation among Young Czech Roma: The Roles of Resources, Community Perceptions and Social Norms

“…Moreover, aside from the cultural explanation, it should be acknowledged that, in comparison with the majority, a greater proportion of the Roma population live in impoverished and socially isolated neighbourhoods (Sirovátka and Mareš 2006; see also lower economic status of Roma in our sample). As a consequence, the day-to-day hardship present in these neighbourhoods might increase the sensitivity of local people to the needs of others and increase their inclination to help.…”

Welfare Reforms in Central and Eastern Europe: A New Type of Welfare Regime?

“…Very recent observations can also confirm the validity of this classification. There is remarkable evidence that the Czech Republic and especially Slovenia went through fairly successful transitions and are currently converging with the West in many social indicators (Bohle, 2007;Noelke, 2008;Lendvai, 2008;Sirovatka, Mares, 2006). Furthermore, the Czech Republic has the lowest poverty rate in the EU.…”