More single mothers in Czechia fall below poverty line due to Covid and inflation

The number of single-parent households living below the poverty line in Czechia is rising, according to new research from the SYRI National Institute and the Czech Academy of Sciences published on Thursday.

In 2021, 32.4% of single-parent families were below the income poverty threshold; by last year, that figure had grown to 36.3%. Researcher Radka Dudová points to the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis and high inflation as key drivers.

Single mothers and their children now make up about a quarter of Czech households. Interviews with a group of 32 solo mothers revealed recurring struggles, especially with food insecurity. Many lost jobs during the pandemic or were unable to return to work after maternity leave.