The fourth part of research series The Voice of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic focuses on poverty and material deprivation. A survey was conducted in August 2022 on a representative sample of 2 072 households, and the results and corresponding recommendations for policy makers are shared in this report. 

Key findings

In August 2022, 46% of refugees surveyed said that they were receiving an income from work in the Czech Republic from at least one member of their household. 20% had income from work in Ukraine, and 84% were receiving humanitarian support from the Ministry of Labour. If the total income of refugee households is calculated by including the state allowance for Czech 'solidarity households' (which provide free housing to refugees), 35% of refugee households still remain below the poverty line. Without inclusion of the state allowance in the calculation, this figure would stand at 69%. By contrast, approximately 9% of Czech households live below the poverty line. 

87% of Ukrainian refugee households were found to suffer from material deprivation (compared with 5% of Czech households), with the situation being particularly severe for single mothers. In the event of a complete loss of income, 49% of Ukrainian refugees said they would have enough savings to survive for less than a month (16% for less than a week). 18% of the Czech population said the same.

38% of Ukrainian refugee households said they have had to borrow money to cover the costs of living in or travelling to the Czech Republic. Most borrowed money in Ukraine from family or good friends. People with low incomes and no savings (e.g. enough to survive for up to one month), as well as those working in low-skilled jobs, were found to be most likely to borrow.

Children from households that have a very low income and / or minimal savings were found to be less likely to participate in education and less likely to integrate. In general, refugees without savings were found to be less likely to attend Czech language classes (for which cost was found to the biggest barrier), and less likely to live in standard housing (accommodation that is not a hotel, hostel, or non-residential premises).

Image source: PAQ Research 2022