Slovak Households Research Articles

Unpaid Work as a Potential Support for Employment in the Labour Market

This paper considers the problem of unpaid work in households. It focuses on the different categories of unpaid work, particularly the implementation of housework, child care and adult care. Specifically, household services, and domestic care services with included health services are designated as "white jobs" which may have the potential to create new jobs. These "white jobs" represent an untapped source of employment in the labour market. The main objective of the paper is to explore the various social determinants influencing the decision of Slovak families to use or not use alternative market substitutes of selected categories of unpaid work with the aim of identifying the hidden potential for job opportunities in the labour market in Slovakia and the potential demand for those services. The results of the primary research suggests that Slovak households have a potentially greater interest in procuring household services from external sources, rather than procuring personal services for themselves. In terms of the perspective demand for the above mentioned services, the research found that in this case it should be necessary to take into consideration the strong influence of traditionalism and conservatism, which affects the scope and nature of market substitute usage.

Aktuální pohled na finanční potenciál českých a slovenských domácností

Aktuální pohled na finanční potenciál českých a slovenských domácností

The Income situation of the private households and its impact on the food consumption in the Slovak Republic

Accession of the Slovak Republic to the EU in 2004 opened up the new opportunities not only in the formation of incomes but also in changes of consumer habits of the population in Slovakia. The basis for these changes were given before 1989, since when it has been possible to monitor realization of reforms. After 1989 have been observed the changes in the evolution of the household income and expenditure structure. The analysis confirms the significant differences and unbalanced right-inclined distribution of income. Households in the fourth income quartile had 2.8 times higher incomes than families in the first income quartile ( Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic). Analyzed were the food groups that in terms of expenditure on food and food consumption took more than 6% share. The results confirm that income differentiation of households is also reflected in their different behavior on the food market. Most sensitive to changes in demand reacts income households with the lowest incomes. In terms of living standard, when satisfying the living needs of population, the disposable monthly income is highly crucial. In meeting the basic needs of households play an important role expenditures on food, housing and energy. The Slovak households have high expenditures on food in comparison with other EU countries. In the structure of consumption expenditures the expenditure on food has decreased in recent years but still represents the highest share (in 2009 it was 21.95%) in comparison with expenditure on housing and energy (19.54% share in 2009).Assessment of the standard of living of the population and its development is effected by several indicators. The key indicators that allow assessment of the standard of living and its development are the money income, consumption and expenditure for food, housing, culture, education and healthcare.Data on the household incomes and the household expenditures for the stated needs point at the standard of living of the population as well as various social groups. Important is also the reciprocal comparison of the differences in expenditures for basic living needs of the household. During the transformation process expanded the variability types and groups of households. Downtrend is spotted in the average size of the households and growing pluralism of the various forms of coexistence.

Revenue impact on the demand of Slovak households for meat and meat products

Global economical crisis was felt in the differences in the incomes of the households and their food consumption. In the paper are analyzed the changing patterns in the structure of demand for meat and the impact on total expenditure on meat and meat products in the households of employees, households of self-employed persons and households of pensioners. When examining the sensitivity of demand to changes in consumer meat prices in different social groups of households was estimated own-price elasticity of demand, as well as cross-price elasticity.

The influence of the Slovak household income differentiation on food expenditures - the Engel's expenditures functions estimation --

The economy of the Slovak Republic, as a part of the European economic area, is significantly determined by the world globalization process. One of the aspects, which globalization brings, is the social differentiation deepening between countries as well as across the particular countries. This phenomenon occurs in the Slovak Republic also as a consequence of the increasing households’ income differentiation. It is logical to assume that the household’s members who live in the different living conditions behave differently in the commodity and service market due to different preferences. The purpose of this article is to quantify the influence of the household income differentiation on their behaviour in the food market. This market is divided into five separated food market groups according to the Healthy Eating Pyramid. The share of the particular food groups’ expenditures in the total household food expenditures is used as a representative of the household food purchase preferences. The results of the analysis did not confirm the assumption about the significant influence of the household income differentiation on the purchases of the particular food groups. The estimation of the Engel’s expenditure functions and the food expenditures elasticities with respect to the income changes are used for quantification of the impact of the household income differentiation on the particular food groups’ expenditures. The food expenditures elasticities referred to the income changes verified differences among the household behaviour in the food market. The food expenditures of the households with a higher income are less elastic regarding the income changes than the food expenditures of the households with a lower income.

Comparison of the income development and the food demand elasticities of the private households in Slovakia

The paper deals with assessing the development of monetary incomes and expenditures of the Slovak households for food using the classification of households by income quartiles and by consumer spending. The analysis confirms the significant differences and unbalanced income distribution. Households in the fourth income quartile dispose of 2.8 times higher incomes than the families in the first quartile. There have been analyzed the food groups that in terms of expenditures represent the part in the food basket higher than 6%. The results confirm that income differentiation of households is also reflected in their different behavior in the food market. The demand changes most sensitive to income changes are those of the households with the lowest incomes. Demand for vegetables, potatoes and tuberous plants shows the highest value of the income elasticity, and in the households with the lowest incomes, the demand for potatoes and vegetables is elastic (E<sub>I</sub> = 1.165).

The estimation of the Marshallian demand functions for the selected foodstuff groups according to the households income quartils

The article deals with the modelling of demand for the food group of milk and milk products and the food group of meat, meat products, eggs and fish using the Marshallian demand functions for the individual income quartils of Slovak households. The criterium for the foodstuff groups selection is their position in the Healthy Eating Pyramid which is one of the recommended optimal food basket forms. We suppose that the significant income differentiation of households will manifest as different consumer behaviour in the food market. The analysis confirms this hypothesis.

Changes in the distribution of slovak household income: 1988 and 1996

Changes in the distribution of slovak household income: 1988 and 1996

The social consequences of transformation in Slovakia

Abstract This article provides basic information about the transformation process in Slovakia from 1989 to 1994. Presented are some of the major results of the SOCO survey and selected important social topics are analyzed. Sociological information about income, property, consumption, and expenditures of Slovak households is given, and the economic activities of Slovak households and peoples’ attitudes to the transformation process are discussed. The article also addresses who are the winners and losers of the transition in the context of rising poverty and changes in social policy.