Financial Services Provision and Prevention of Financial Exclusion in Poland: National Survey

Abstract

This survey conducted in Poland was the first in-depth one of non-commercial character. It was conducted in July 2007 on a quota sample covering people in the age bracket 18-75 years. The executed survey confirmed that factors explaining financial exclusion in Poland are the same like for social exclusion. These include: low level of education, retirement age, low level of income, lack of stable employment or unemployment, living in a small locality, in particular a rural village.No significant differences were found in the situation of women and men or a greater risk of financial exclusion for women. Risk of financial exclusion affects primarily persons obtaining low income. The group of seriously threatened with exclusion or directly affected includes also the unemployed aged over 40, also usually characterized by low level of education, and those benefit-takers, who do not work. Percentage of persons seriously at risk of financial exclusion may be estimated at 20-22%.