More than 14 percent of Czechs now consider themselves poor, a notable increase from 12 percent just five years ago. According to data from Eurostat, the European statistical office, approximately one in seven Czech households face significant or major difficulties making ends meet, while an additional 28 percent struggle with these issues occasionally.
Miroslav Novák, chief analyst at Citfin, attributes this rise in subjective poverty to the recent energy crisis and accompanying high inflation. “Not only energy prices increased, but also food costs, which are crucial budget items for low-income households,” he explained. The combination of surging energy bills and soaring grocery prices has placed considerable pressure on Czech families, particularly those already living on tight margins.
Despite these concerning trends, the Czech Republic still performs better than the European average, where 17.4 percent of people report feeling poor. The situation varies dramatically across the continent: Greece leads with 66.8 percent of its population considering themselves poor, while Germany and the Netherlands fare best at just 7.3 percent. Among Czech neighbors, Slovakia reports a troubling 28 percent, while Poland stands at just over 11 percent.
Within the Czech population, disparities emerge along gender and age lines. Women report higher rates of subjective poverty at over 15 percent compared to 13 percent for men. Analysts point to persistent wage gaps and the prevalence of single motherhood as key factors. “Women have consistently lower incomes, often even in the same or similar positions,” Novák noted. “They also find themselves much more frequently in the role of single providers.” The challenges multiply as child support payments often fall short, forcing many women to seek additional employment.
Age reveals another striking pattern: nearly one-fifth of those under 18 consider themselves poor, making this the most vulnerable demographic. Paradoxically, seniors over 65 report the lowest rates of subjective poverty at 11.2 percent, while working-age adults fall in between at 13.3 percent. Overall, more than 14 percent of Czech households now report greater difficulty managing their income, with 3.7 percent facing severe problems—a sharp increase from the 11.4 percent recorded in 2021.