Net Household Income Research Articles

The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Exploring the Determinants of Internet Access in Emerging Economies

Abstract With the rapid developments and changes in technology in the Fourth Industrial Revolution being witnessed everywhere, this study aimed to investigate the factors that influence access to the internet by households in emerging economies with a direct focus on South Africa one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Access to broadband facilities by individuals, households and consumers is one of the critical components of the economic growth and prosperity of a country. It is generally believed that the access to broadband technologies by a community or nation helps to increase productivity which assists a lot in fueling economic growth which will have an impact on the levels of poverty. Using the logistic regression, the study found out that race, access to telephone landline, access to a cellular cellphone, access to electricity, owning a house, gender, age of the household head, net household income per month, and household expenditure were the significant variables in influencing the demand for internet access by households in emerging economies. The factors that were more important in the influence on access to the internet were the availability of electricity and access to a cellphone. Therefore, the study concludes that to improve the quality of life of the people, it is imperative that the governments across the world, do invest more in improving access to quality internet, but one of the prerequisites is that households should have a stable electricity supply and they have access to cellphones.

The Relationship between Income and Morbidity—Longitudinal Findings from the German Ageing Survey

It is often assumed that higher income contributes to physical health. Indeed, there is a huge amount of research showing a strong significant association between income and health. However, very few studies have used longitudinal data and an objective variable for health, such as morbidity. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association between the income and morbidity of individuals over time. Data from a total of four waves (year 2008 to year 2017) of the nationally representative German Ageing Survey was analyzed by linear fixed-effects regressions. The used equivalized income was based on the respondents’ monthly net household income. To obtain a comprehensive picture of the dependent variable morbidity, self-reported diseases, current symptoms, and physician-diagnosed diseases were examined. The analyses showed no significant association between percentage changes in income and morbidity in the total sample. Even after considering selected socioeconomic groups in further subgroup analyses, there was no significant within-person association found over time. In summary, the unexpected results of this study suggest that the previously assumed link between income and health in Germany may be called into question. Further research based on longitudinal studies is, therefore, required.

Extraction of Rhododendron arboreum Smith flowers from the forest for the livelihood and rural income in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Rhododendron arboreum locally known as ‘Burans', that bears magnificent flowers is one of the valuable non timber forest produces (NTFPs) in Garhwal Himalaya. These flowers are good source of income for local populace and help them to their subsistence up to some extent. R. arboreum flower can help local population to improve their livelihoods if potential harvesting is carried out sustainably. An attempt has been made to estimate the flower yield, examine extraction techniques, marketing trends and various uses of flowers. Stratified random sampling method was carried out in eight sites varying in altitudes and geographic locations. Flower yield kg/ha for each site was calculated as standard process. Questionnaire based survey was carried out in selected villages for flower extraction and marketing trends. Projections of potential (probable/-could generate) income were made and cost–benefit analysis was also estimated. Tree density of R. arboreum ranked first and Q. leucotrichophora had second rank while 16–25 cm cbh class tree density for R. arboreum was found highest across the sites. Flower yield was significantly (p < 0.001) higher at Khirsu site with 26–35 and 46–55 cm cbh class. There was positively significant correlation (n = 446, p < 0.001, r = 0.53) between flower yield and actual cbh. Flower yield has a direct relation with size of tree whereas yield has been less impacted by the sites. Average yield of flowers across the sites was about 25.3 ton/ha. On average 30% households are engaged in the extraction and trade activities with the extraction rate of 25–350 kg/household/year. A net household income of Rs. 6000–37,000 (89–545 USD) per year was computed from Rhododendron flower extraction and marketing business. The total monetary benefit was significantly higher than the inputs for all value added items on a per day basis. R. arboreum plays important role in ecological and economic sustainability of poor rural people and unemployed youths in Himalayan region. This can reduce unemployment through development of small cottage industry and entrepreneurship at village level by making different food products i.e. juice, squash, sauce and pickle etc.

Physical Activity Spaces Not Effective against Socioeconomic Inequalities in Myopia Incidence: The Generation R Study.

Our findings show that non-Dutch background, lower maternal education, and lower net household income level may be new risk factors for myopia development in the Netherlands. Newly introduced physical activity spaces may not be effective enough in increasing outdoor exposure in children to reduce eye growth. The aims of this study were to evaluate socioeconomic inequalities in myopia incidence, eye growth, outdoor exposure, and computer use and to investigate if newly introduced physical activity spaces can reduce eye growth in school-aged children. Participants (N = 2643) from the Dutch population-based birth cohort Generation R were examined at ages 6 and 9 years. Socioeconomic inequalities in myopia incidence, eye growth, and lifestyle were determined using regression analyses. Information on physical activity spaces located in Rotterdam was obtained. Differences in eye growth between those who became exposed to new physical activity spaces (n = 230) and those nonexposed (n = 1866) were evaluated with individual-level fixed-effects models. Myopia prevalence was 2.2% at age 6 years and 12.2% at age 9 years. Outdoor exposure was 11.4 h/wk at age 6 years and 7.4 h/wk at age 9 years. Computer use was 2.1 h/wk at age 6 years and 5.2 h/wk at age 9 years. Myopia incidence was higher in children with non-Dutch background, and families with lower household income and lower maternal education (odds ratio [OR], 1.081 [95% confidence interval, 1.052 to 1.112]; OR, 1.035 [95% confidence interval, 1.008 to 1.063]; OR, 1.028 [95% confidence interval, 1.001 to 1.055], respectively). Children living <600 m of a physical activity space did not have increased outdoor exposure, except those from families with lower maternal education (β = 1.33 h/wk; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 2.51 h/wk). Newly introduced physical activity spaces were not associated with reduction of eye growth. Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families became more often myopic than those from socioeconomically advantaged families. We did not find evidence that physical activity spaces protect against myopia for the population at large, but subgroups may benefit.

Factors associated with PSA testing in men ≥ 50 years in Ireland

Abstract Background Ireland has among the highest rates of prostate cancer in the EU, primarily due to widespread PSA screening. PSA screening is not recommended for asymptomatic men. Due to the potential for harm to the patient, and the economic and clinical repercussions for the healthcare system caused by inappropriate screening, this study aimed to investigate associations between PSA screening and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors in men ≥50 years in Ireland. Methods A cross-sectional study was completed using data from Wave 4 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA), a nationally representative sample of community dwellers ≥ 50 years in Ireland. Participants self-reported having or not having a PSA test to screen for prostate cancer in the previous two years. Variables were entered into a multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for associations between PSA testing and the factors of interest. Results There were 2,426 male participants, with 68% reporting a PSA test in the previous two years. In adjusted analysis, older age (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.32-2.31), third level education (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.07-1.69) and a higher household net income (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.52-3.02) increased the likelihood of PSA testing. Health-related factors positively associated with PSA testing screening were private health insurance (OR 1.89, 95%CI 1.52-2.35), blood pressure measurement in the previous year (OR 8.80, 95%CI 6.06-12.77) and a positive family history of cancer (OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.13-1.78). Conclusions High rates of prostate cancer screening are taking place in Ireland, despite the absence of a population-based screening programme. Men of older age, higher socioeconomic status and who demonstrate health-protective-behaviours have an increased risk of PSA screening. This subgroup of the population should be targeted to increase awareness of the potential benefits and harms of PSA testing. Key messages Rates of PSA screening remain high in Ireland, despite the absence of a population-based screening programme. Increased awareness of the potential harms and benefits of PSA screening is needed.

Living with Reduced Income: An Analysis of Household Financial Vulnerability Under COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has led to substantial reductions in earnings. We propose a new measure of financial vulnerability, computable through survey data, to determine whether households can withstand a certain income shock for a defined period of time. Using data from the ECB Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) we analyse financial vulnerability in seven EU countries. We find that, out of the 243 million individuals considered, 47 million are vulnerable to a three month long income shock (the average length of the first wave COVID-19 lockdown), i.e., they cannot afford food and housing expenses for three months without privately earned income. Differences across countries are stark. Individuals born outside the EU are especially likely to be vulnerable. Being younger, a single parent, and a woman are also statistically significant risk factors. Through a tax-benefit microsimulation exercise, we look into the COVID-19 employment protection benefits, the largest income support measure in the countries considered. Considering as our sample individuals in households where someone receives a salary, we derive household net income when employees are laid-off and awarded the COVID-19 employment protection benefits enacted. Our findings suggest that the employment protection schemes are extremely effective in reducing the number of vulnerable individuals. The relative importance of rent and mortgage suspensions, (likewise, widespread COVID-19 policies), in alleviating vulnerability, is highly country dependent.

Customer preferences for wood-based houses in Slovakia

Housing is one of the basic needs of every person. Most people usually encounter the problems of the availability of financial resources and real construction costs. The objective of this paper is to present customer preferences for the construction of family houses in Slovakia with the assessment of possible perception disproportions regarding economic characteristics in the context of interest and reality. A specific part of this paper includes the presentation of interest in the construction of wood-based houses. The questionnaire survey show that, in the target group (respondents aged 26 to 50 years), significant dependencies were found between the monitored traits and the amount of planned investment. For each dependence, possible disproportions were also revealed, which could lead to an overall threat of the plans for the construction of a family house. The disproportions, which were associated with 25 to 30% of respondents, depended on the amount of investment and net household income as well the outlay and usable floor area. This is an original survey in the field, the benefit of which should be its use for a comparison of similar research.

Analysison the Willingness and InfluencingFactors of the Villagers to Market the Rural Collective Construction Land in Nanhai District of Guangdong Province under the Background of Transformation and Upgrading of Manufacturing Industry

By analyzing the cognition and willingness of the villagers in Nanhai district (a big manufacturing city) of guangdong province to the marketing of the rural collective operating construction land, this paper finds out the key factors of the villagers' response to the marketing of the rural collective operating construction land, and puts forward some suggestions on how to promote the villagers' response to the marketing of the rural collective operating construction land. This paper takes villagers from 7 towns in Nanhai District of Guangdong Province as the investigation objects, and effectively gets questionnaires from 596 villagers by means of random investigation. The research methods of descriptive statistics and Logistic regression model are specifically used.The villagers in Nanhai District of Guangdong Province have a strong willingness to market the rural collective operating construction land, among which 63.42% of the surveyed villagers agree to market the rural collective operating construction land, but 36.58% of the surveyed villagers still have a weak willingness. There are five key factors that affect villagers' willingness to market rural collective operating construction land: villagers' education level, agricultural dependence, annual household net income, expectation of market effect and view of market risk of agricultural land.In order to improve the willingness of the villagers in Nanhai District of Guangdong Province to enter the market of the rural collective operating construction land, the following four measures can be taken to realize it: First, to improve the villagers' education level; Second, reduce the villagers' dependence on agriculture and increase the annual net income of the villagers' families. Thirdly, the demonstration effect of entering the market should be effectively done to improve the villagers' expectation of the effect of entering the market. Fourthly, the education of popularizing the knowledge of entering the market should be strengthened to guide the villagers to correctly understand the institutional nature of entering the market of agricultural land so as to reduce the risk of entering the market of agricultural land.

Kin Ties and Market Integration in a Yucatec Mayan Village

The importance of kin relationships varies with socioecological demands. Among subsistence agriculturalists, people commonly manage fluctuations in food availability by relying on family members to share resources and pool labor. However, the process of market integration may disrupt these support networks, which may begin to carry costs or liabilities in novel market environments. The current study aims to address (1) how kin are distributed in household support networks (2) how kin support varies as households become more engaged in market activities, and (3) how variation in kin support is associated with income disparities within a Yucatec Maya community undergoing rapid market integration. Using long-term census data combined with social networks and detailed household economic data, we find that household support networks are primarily composed of related households. Second, households engaged predominantly in wage labor rely less on kin support than agricultural or mixed economy households. Finally, kin support is associated with lower household net income and income per capita. Understanding how kin support systems shift over the course of market integration and in the face of new opportunities for social and economic production provides a unique window into the social and economic drivers of human family formation.

Compulsive and compensative buying among online shoppers: An empirical study.

The present study examines the phenomenon of compensative and compulsive buying among online shoppers. Firstly, the obtained empirical data make it possible to estimate the prevalence of compensative and compulsive buying among the general population of Poles aged 15 years old and over, with the sample split into users and non-users of the e-commerce market offer. Secondly, the conducted analysis shows to what extent the prevalence of compulsive and compensative buying is differentiated by the frequency of online shopping, by the extent of the expenditures on online shopping compared with offline shopping, by attitudes towards online shopping, and by sociodemographic conditions (gender, age, monthly net income of household). The findings come from a survey conducted in 2019 based on a nationwide statistically representative sample of 1,000 Poles aged 15 years old and over. Drawing on this survey based on the German Compulsive Buying Indicator (GCBI), the prevalence of compulsive buying is observed at about 3% and compensative buying at about 12%. Dividing the general population into online and offline shoppers, one can see serious differences between both target groups; the share of compulsive and compensative buyers in the segment of online shoppers amounts to 3.6% and 16.9%, while among non-online shoppers- 3.3% and 10.1%. The strongest susceptibility to compulsive buying is characteristic of female online shoppers having very positive attitudes towards online shopping and doing online shopping very frequently.

House Structure Is Associated with Malaria among Febrile Patients in a High-Transmission Region of Zambia.

Since the late nineteenth century, the importance of house structure as a determinant of malaria risk has been recognized. Few studies to date have examined the association of housing and malaria in clinical populations. We conducted a cross-sectional study of febrile patients (n = 282) at two rural health clinics in a high malaria-transmission area of northern Zambia. Participants underwent testing for Plasmodium falciparum infection by PCR. Demographic and other risk factors including house structure, indoor residual spraying (IRS), bed net use, education level, and household income were collected. Data were fitted to logistic regression models for relational and mediation analyses. Residing in a house with a thatch roof was associated with higher odds of malaria than residing in a house with corrugated metal (odds ratio: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.0-6.3, P = 0.04). Lower income and educational attainment were also associated with greater odds of malaria. Living under a thatch roof accounted for 24% (95% CI: 14-82) of the effect of household income on malaria risk, and income accounted for 11% (95% CI: 8-19) of the effect of education. Neither IRS nor bed net use was associated with malaria risk despite large, local investments in these vector control interventions. The findings testify to malaria as a disease of rural poverty and contribute further evidence to the utility of housing improvements in vector control programs.

Prevalence and changes in food-related hardships by socioeconomic and demographic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: A longitudinal panel study.

BackgroundFood insecurity concerns have featured prominently in the UK response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assess changes in the prevalence of food-related hardships in the UK population from April to July 2020.MethodWe analysed longitudinal data on food-related hardships for 11,104 respondents from the April-July 2020 waves of the Understanding Society COVID-19 web survey with linked data from the 2017-9 wave of the annual Understanding Society survey. Outcome variables were reports of being hungry but not eating and of being unable to eat healthy and nutritious food in the last week, which were adapted from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We used unadjusted estimates to examine changes in population prevalence and logistic regression to assess the association between employment transitions and both outcomes at the individual level.FindingsThe prevalence of reporting an inability to eat healthy or nutritious food rose from 3•2% in April to 16•3% in July 2020. The largest increases in being unable to eat healthy or nutritious food were among Asian respondents, the self-employed, and 35-44-year-olds. The prevalence of being hungry but not eating rose from 3•3% in April to 5•1% in July, with the largest increases observed among unemployed individuals below age 65. Those moving from employment to unemployment had higher odds of being hungry but not eating in the last week relative to furloughed individuals (OR = 2•2; p < 0•05; 95% CI: 1•1 to 4•2) and to the persistently employed (OR = 3•5; p < 0•001; 95% CI: 1•8 to 6•9), adjusting for age, highest qualification in 2017-19, net household income in 2017-19 (equivalized), gender, race/ethnicity, number children at home (aged 0-4, 5-15, and 16-18), cohabitation status, and government office region. Respondents moving from employment to unemployment also had higher odds of reporting an inability to eat healthy and nutritious food relative to furloughed individuals (OR = 1•9; p < 0•05; 95% CI: 1•4 to 3•2) and to the persistently employed (OR = 2•0; p < 0•01; 95% CI: 1•2 to 3•4). No statistically significant differences were found between furloughed individuals and the persistently employed in their probability of reporting either outcome.InterpretationFood-related hardships increased substantially in the UK between April and July 2020, largely driven by reports of an inability to eat healthy and nutritious food. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme appeared to have conferred some protection, but more could have been done to mitigate the problems we describe in obtaining affordable food.FundingDS is funded by the Wellcome Trust investigator award. JK and DS are funded by the European Research Council n. 313590 – HRES. VT is funded by the European Research Council n. 694145- IFAMID.

Diversification supports farm income and improved working conditions during agroecological transitions in southern Brazil

Management of crop diversity for improved agroecosystem functioning can provide economic co-benefits to farmers. Yet, there remain critical gaps in understanding how farm management practices evolve through agroecological transitions and how agroecological practices affect socioeconomic outcomes such as income and working conditions. We conducted a case study of farms transitioning from conventional tobacco production to diversified agroecological management in a participatory certification network in southern Brazil. We purposively sampled farms along a transition gradient and conducted crop diversity and management surveys and semi-structured, in-depth interviews with household members. Using these data, we assessed indicators of ecological management, income, and working conditions across three transition stages—conventional, transitioning, and agroecological. We found that ecological management indicators increased in magnitude and evenness by transition stage, as transitioning farmers increasingly used practices to support ecological complexity. Agroecological farmers utilized system redesign, a transformative approach to agroecosystem management, rather than efficiency-based or substitution-oriented practices adopted by conventional and transitioning farmers. While farms in transition reported more difficult working conditions and lower incomes, agroecological farmers had similar per capita working hours and improved work quality and occupational safety relative to conventional farmers in the region. On a per capita basis, experienced agroecological farmers earned similar net agricultural incomes and higher net household incomes than conventional farmers, by reducing agricultural expenses and diversifying their markets and livelihoods. Our study is the first to our knowledge to use a transition gradient approach to examine how agroecological transition stage affects both ecological and socioeconomic indicators on farms, providing insights into the processes and pathways by which farmers overcome challenges during transitions. Results highlight the potential for stable profits and improved working conditions on farms following agroecological transitions, within a supportive policy and market context.

Individual labor market effects of local public expenditures on sports

By merging administrative data on public finances of all municipalities in Germany with individual data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we explore whether local public expenditures on sports facilities influences individual labor market outcomes. Our identification strategy follows a selection-on-observables approach and exploits the panel structure of the data covering 12 years between 2001 and 2012. The results of our matching estimations suggest that both women and men exposed to high annual expenditure levels (i.e. €31–€85 per capita) over 5 years, obtain approximately €150 of additional household net income on average. However, this income effect is captured by earning gains for men rather than for women living in the household. Additional analysis suggests, that these gender differences, which can also be observed in terms of working time, hourly wage and employment status, appear plausible since women in the age cohort under consideration are less likely to engage in sports in general, and in any of the publicly funded sports facilities in particular. Moreover, improved well-being and health are possible mechanisms through which the positive labor market effects for men may unfold.

Changes in Family Poverty Status and Child Health.

In this study, we aim to assess the associations over time between poverty and child weight status, asthma, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We analyzed data for 3968 children from the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. Net household income and the number of adults and children living from this income were measured at 4 time-points (during pregnancy and at ages 2, 3, and 6). Poverty was defined on the basis of the equivalized household income being <60% of the median national income. Child health outcomes were measured at age 6 years. The association was explored by using logistic and linear regression models. In this cohort, 9.8% of children were born into poverty and 6.0% had experienced 3 to 4 episodes of poverty. Independent of current poverty status, children born into poverty had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.68 for having overweight/obesity and a lower physical HRQoL (OR = -1.32) than those not born into poverty. Children having experienced 3 to 4 episodes of poverty had an OR of 1.94 for having asthma and a lower physical HRQoL (OR = -3.32) compared with children from never-poor families. Transition out of poverty before age 2 was associated with lower risk of asthma and a higher physical HRQoL compared with children who remained in poverty. Being born into poverty or experiencing multiple episodes of poverty is associated with negative child health outcomes, such as having overweight, asthma, or a lower HRQoL. Support for children and families with a low household income is warranted.

Socioeconomic status, well-being and mortality: a comprehensive life course analysis of panel data, Germany, 1984-2016

BackgroundThis study seeks to explore potential causal mechanisms involved in the observed associations between several socioeconomic status (SES) indicators, well-being and mortality, by taking a life course perspective focusing on (i) the trajectory of income and domain-specific well-being indicators, (ii) the influence of different SES indicators on well-being and mortality, (iii) the interactions between those trajectories, and (iv) the associations of the income and domain-specific well-being trajectories with all-cause mortality.MethodsSocioeconomic status is operationalised by net household income, education, employment and marital status. Well-being is measured with two indicators: life satisfaction and satisfaction with health. Data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, collected between 1984 and 2016 and comprising more than 55,000 individuals, are analysed by means of longitudinal k-means cluster analysis, simultaneous equation systems and parametric time-to-death regressions.ResultsThe analyses indicate the presence of large reciprocal effects of the trajectories of income and well-being on each other. However, the results suggest that well-being has a larger influence on income than the opposite, namely, income on well-being. The mortality analysis, on the other hand, revealed that the history of satisfaction with health is a much stronger predictor of longevity than the individual’s income history. Mortality risk was found lower among married individuals and those with tertiary education. In contrast, unemployment was associated with lower income and well-being levels. The findings provide support to the notion that education is a superior SES indicator than income in the investigation of the social determinants of well-being and mortality.ConclusionThe present study provides evidence of large reciprocal effects of income and well-being and emphasises the importance of taking a life course approach in the investigation of the social determinants of health. Several SES indicators and both well-being indicators were found to be highly predictive of all-cause mortality and indicate the presence of cumulative effects related to one’s income and well-being trajectories.

Comparative Survey of People with ME/CFS in Italy, Latvia, and the UK: A Report on Behalf of the Socioeconomics Working Group of the European ME/CFS Research Network (EUROMENE).

Background and Objectives: A comparative survey of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients was carried out in three countries, with the aim of identifying appropriate policy measures designed to alleviate the burden of disease both on patients and their families, and also on public institutions. The survey addressed demographic features, the economic impact of the disease on household incomes, patterns of medical and social care, specific therapies, social relationships, and the impact of the illness on quality of life. Materials and Methods: Parallel surveys were undertaken in Italy, Latvia, and the UK. There were 88 completed responses from Italy, 75 from Latvia, and 448 from the UK. To facilitate comparisons, 95% confidence intervals were calculated in respect of responses to questions from all three countries. To explore to what extent general practitioners (GPs) manage ME/CFS disease, a separate questionnaire for GPs, with questions about the criteria for granting a diagnosis, laboratory examinations, the involvement of specialists, and methods of treatment, was undertaken in Latvia, and there were 91 completed responses from GPs. Results: The results are presented in respect of sociodemographic information, household income, disease progression and management, perceived effectiveness of treatment, responsibility for medical care, personal care, difficulty explaining the illness, and quality of life. Demographic details were similar in all three countries, and the impact of illness on net household incomes and quality of life. There were significant differences between the three countries in illness progression and management, which may reflect differences in patterns of health care and in societal attitudes. Graded exercise therapy, practiced in the UK, was found to be universally ineffective. Conclusions: There were similarities between respondents in all three countries in terms of demographic features, the impact of the illness on household incomes and on quality of life, and on difficulties experienced by respondents in discussing their illness with doctors, but also differences in patterns of medical care, availability of social care, and societal attitudes to ME/CFS.

The impact of cash transfers on child outcomes in rural Thailand: Evidence from a social pension reform

Previous studies have identified a causal relationship between pension eligibility for the elderly and an improvement in education-related outcomes of co-residing children. In contrast to the often generous schemes considered before, this study investigates the effects of a non-contributory pension scheme in Thailand that grants much smaller benefits. Our empirical analysis exploits a reform which expanded the scheme from a targeted program to universal coverage. Using a generalized difference-in-difference model, we provide evidence that gaining eligibility for the scheme can affect work status and literacy of children living with eligible pensioners, while not actually raising total net household income. The effect sizes we find for older children in our sample are within the range of those estimated from more generous schemes. Younger children do not benefit from the reform.

Understanding Consumers’ Convenience Orientation. An Exploratory Study of Fresh-Cut Fruit in Italy

In Western society, the fresh-cut fruit market is experiencing significant growth, especially in Italy, where, in 2019, the fresh-cut fruit sales volume increased by 35% compared with the previous year. This study aims to understand Italian consumers’ demand for fresh-cut fruits and to explore whether this trend is also affected by the prevalence of healthy lifestyles. Health orientation seems, in fact, to be a growing trend in the food sector. Research has recognized that consumers’ orientation towards products that are ready to be consumed is not only related to saving time. Sociodemographic factors and psychometric variables, including values and lifestyles, play important roles in understanding consumer demand for convenience products. For this purpose, the food-related lifestyles (FRLs) tool was used to profile consumers. The FRLs tool is a useful instrument that describes different ways in which people use food to achieve their values in life. Data were collected by using an online survey carried out with Italian consumers of fresh-cut fruits. By using a cluster analysis technique, four Italian fresh-cut fruit consumer target groups were identified. The largest target group was represented by uninvolved consumers, who are not inclined to cook or plan meals and who are very influenced by the advertising of food products in their buying decisions. An interesting target group, which may represent a challenge for food enterprises in the sector, was health-oriented consumers, who attach great importance to organic certification and to product information. This target group was also characterized by older consumers with higher net monthly household incomes than other target groups.

Living with Reduced Income: An Analysis of Household Financial Vulnerability under COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has led to substantial reductions in earnings. We propose a new measure of financial vulnerability, computable through survey data, to determine whether households can withstand a certain income shock for a defined period of time. Using data from the ECB Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) we analyse pre-existing financial vulnerability in seven EU countries. We find that income support is essential for many families: 47.2 million individuals, out of the 243 million considered, cannot afford three months of food and housing expenses without privately earned income. Differences across countries are stark, and those born outside of the EU are especially vulnerable. Through a tax-benefit microsimulation exercise, we then derive household net income when employees are laid-off and awarded the COVID-19 employment protection benefits enacted in the different countries. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 employment protection schemes awarded are extremely effective in reducing the number of vulnerable individuals. The relative importance of rent and mortgage suspensions in alleviating vulnerability is highly country dependent.