Values and structure of the social minimum with a view to changes resulting from the sars-cov-2 pandemic in 2020

The outbreak of the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic in Poland was an important factor influencing consumption behaviour in 2020. When presenting the estimates of the social minimum, it was pointed out that the research conducted in 2020 took into account how needs were met under typical conditions. Circumstances brought by the coronavirus pandemic were not taken into account. The results of the CSO survey on household budgets for 2020 were released in September 2021. Compared to 2019, total household expenditure in 2020 fell by 3.4%. However, in poorer households they were higher than in 2019: in the 1st quintile in 2020 they increased by 5.7% (in the 1st decile by 15%). The lower expenditures compared to 2019 occurred in households with higher incomes (e.g. 2nd and 3rd quintile of the income distribution), where there was "room" to cut expenditures while adapting to pandemic conditions. Poorer households had to make the necessary expenditure to adapt to the new situation, with no room for savings in other budget areas. On the basis of these data and additional calculations by the Central Statistical Office, IPiSS prepared adjustments to the values of the social minimum.