Living conditions, Slovenia, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, 2020 was special as we were forced to collect data with a questionnaire in two periods; namely before the health crisis (January–March) and during the health crisis or after the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic (May–September). In previous years, we obtained data with a questionnaire in the first half of the year (January–June). Data for 2020, due to this specific situation, are not fully comparable with data from previous years.

Households make ends meet more easily

The share of households who make ends meet without difficulty (easy or very easy) increased in 2020 by 3 percentage points compared to 2019 (from 18% to 21%). On the other hand, the share of households who made ends meet with difficulty (difficult or very difficult) stayed the same (20%). Most households (31%) declared that they had the ability to make ends meet with some difficulty.

The number of severely materially deprived persons slightly higher

The severe material deprivation rate was 3% in 2020, 0.4 of a percentage point higher than a year ago. This means that about 61,000 people (53,000 in 2019) were living in households that could not afford at least four of the nine items used as indicators for material deprivation due to lack of financial resources: 1) to pay rent or mortgage, utility bills, loan payments, 2) to keep home adequately warm, 3) to face unexpected expenses in the amount of at-risk-of- poverty threshold (650 EUR), 4) to eat meat, fish or a protein equivalent every second day, 5) a week of holiday away from home, 6) a car, 7) a washing machine, 8) a colour TV, or 9) a telephone.

Fewer households in arrears to pay their financial obligations

The total housing costs, which might include also rent or mortgage repayments, were a heavy burden for 26% of households in 2020, which is 6 percentage points fewer than in 2019. The total housing costs were not a burden at all for 15% of households, same as in 2019.

In the period of 12 months before the survey in 2020, 9% of households were in arrears to pay utility costs, possibly rent or mortgage, other loans or purchase instalments at least once because of financial difficulties, which is 2 percentage points fewer than in 2019 and 11 percentage points fewer than in 2014, when the largest share of households was in arrears.

12% of households who rent their dwelling were in arrears to pay rent at least once in the past 12 months, which is the same share as in 2019.

In Slovenia, 41% of households had at least 1 loan or were paying purchase instalments. In 2020, 10% of households had a mortgage loan for the apartment in which they live, and 2% of households were repaying other housing loans for their apartments. 19% of households had a car or other means of transport on credit/leasing/instalments. 7% of households had a loan/instalments for the renovation of the apartment in which they live and for the purchase of furniture, housing equipment and household appliances. 3% of households had a loan/instalments for other real estate. 1% of households had a loan/instalments to cover daily expenses. Fewer than 1% of households took out loans or were paying instalments for holidays, health care, education, business financing, refinancing another loan, a loan intended to help relatives or friends. 4% of households were indebted for other purposes not mentioned earlier.

The self-assessment of overall life satisfaction slightly lower

Compared to 2019, the average assessment of overall life satisfaction changed slightly in 2020; it decreased from 7.5 to 7.4 on the scale from 0 (“not at all satisfied”) to 10 (“completely satisfied”).

Goods and activities that have to be paid for more accessible

The share of persons aged 16+ who got together with friends/relatives for a drink/meal was 92% in 2020; this is 1 percentage point fewer than in 2019. The share of persons who could not afford to do so because of financial difficulties stayed the same (3%).  

More than half of persons aged 16+ (54%) regularly participated in leisure activities (e.g. sport, cinema, concerts, etc.) that have to be paid; this is 1 percentage point fewer than in 2019. The share of persons that could not afford to participate in such activities due to financial difficulties decreased by 1 percentage point in 2020 (from 12% to 11%).

89% of people spent a small amount of money on themselves almost every week; this is 1 percentage point fewer than in 2019. Due to financial reasons, 5% of persons could not afford it, which is 1 percentage point fewer than in 2019.

Change of household income over a period of one year

Since 2019, the Living Conditions survey has also included a subjective feeling about the change in the amount of net household income. Households estimate how their total net income has changed in the last 12 months. In 2019, 23% of households stated that their income increased in the last 12 months, and 9% that their income decreased, while in all other households their income remained approximately the same as in the last 12 months before the survey. In 2020, based on household statements, income increased for 24% of households compared to 12 months before the survey, while it decreased for 9% of households.

Among households whose income increased, the main reason for the increase in income was the indexation/re-evaluation of salary (15% in 2019 and 23% in 2020), an increase in wages (2019: 26%, 2020: 21%) and an increase in social benefits (approximately a third of households). Among the households whose income decreased, the most common reason for the decrease in income was loss of work or unemployment (more than 20% of households in all periods observed), other unlisted reasons for the decrease (13% in 2019 and 21% in 2020), wage reduction (2019: 11%, 2020: 14%) and retirement (approximately 10% of households in both years). More detailed information is available in the attached Excel file.