Emergence of poverty in Hungary

Based on the statistical data of TÁRKI Social Research Institute, 17 percent of the total population and 26 percent of the children (between ages 0-17) lived under income poverty in 2012 in Hungary.

 

Prior to the change of the political regime, until as late as 1981, poverty was not an issue to talk about in Hungary. Since then, social inequalities that determine the life and possibilities of people and influence their future got into the focal point. Distance between the poor and non-poor is on the increase. It depends on several factors whether this distance will be bigger, remain the same or become smaller. In order to remain competitive on the labour market and find orientation in the world, there is need for a number of skills and competencies. If somebody does not get adequate education, or drops out of the educational system, or is born in a family where there is no possibility and/or chance to acquire the necessary knowledge, skill and competence, that person will be confronted with disadvantages until the end of life.

 

We can differentiate four different types of poverty among individuals: [1]

1. Traditional poverty: it was present already during the Communist era. Unskilled people, manual agricultural workers and those living in villages belonged to this group.
2. New poverty: people impoverished due to unemployment caused by the transition are part of this group.
3. Demographic poverty: after the transition, it covered the elderly population, but by now, the majority of the children fall into this category.
4. Ethnic poverty: the ratio of poor people is higher than average in the Roma population.

 

We can also observe regional or territorial differences in the appearance of poverty – we experience great differences by the types of settlements, within the settlements and across the country too.    Poverty is concentrated in isolated villages cut off from transportation facilities, job opportunities, services (where educational, social, transportation, health-care and other services are available only on certain days of the week or in the neighbouring village), the segregates developed inside the settlements, and inside the country, in the regions located in Northern Hungary, Northern Great Plain, Southern Great Plain and Southern Transdanubia.

References:

[1] Andorka Rudolf – Spéder Zsolt (1996)

This article based on the following document: Esélyegyenlőségi módszertani útmutató