National Poverty Watch 2025: A fifth of Czechs affected by poverty
The Czech branch of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) has released its annual report – the National Poverty Watch 2025. The report outlines key findings and recommendations regarding poverty and social exclusion in Czechia. Radio Prague International spoke with Eliška Halaštová – the report’s lead author and a member of EAPN’s executive committee – about this year’s most important takeaways.
“The main findings can be summarised as follows: poverty affects a significant portion of the Czech population. According to the tech research company PAQ Research, income poverty at levels comparable to other European countries affects up to one-fifth of the Czech population. The fundamental problems are unaffordable housing and inadequate incomes.
“Thanks to a report on exclusion from housing, published by the organisation Platform for Social Housing, we know that serious housing problems affect 1.6 million people in Czechia. 300,000 people are at risk of losing their homes, a third of whom are children, and over 160,000 people are in urgent need of housing, of whom around 62,000 are children.
“When it comes to income, researchers from the platform Minimum Decent Wage have calculated that you would need a gross monthly income of between 45,000 and 53,000 Czech crowns to live a materially decent life in Czechia. The current minimum wage is less than half of that.
“This year, compared to previous years, the National Poverty Watch also looked at how poverty is being addressed in Czechia through strategies and plans at both the national and local levels. In short, we found that while there are a number of documents addressing these issues – some of them well written – there is still room for improvement. In the report, we aim to highlight specific good practices and the European Anti-Poverty Network will pass these on to European institutions, as the first EU anti-poverty strategy is currently being developed.”
According to Eurostat (the European statistics office), the share of Czechs at risk of poverty is relatively low - 11.3% in 2024, compared to, for example, 30.3% in Bulgaria. But based on what you have just described, this does not seem to reflect the full reality.
“This is an important issue for us. According to the At-risk-of-poverty rate published by Eurostat, the Czech Republic does indeed have a relatively low share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion compared to other European countries.
"The fundamental problems are unaffordable housing and inadequate incomes."
Eliška Halaštová
“However, many Czech experts, including ourselves, argue that this indicator is not suitable for international comparisons because it does not take purchasing power into account. However, politicians often draw on this data, which can result in the undervaluation of the problems that people face. We appreciate that some researchers are trying to rework this measurement and we draw on them.”
The report includes recommendations. Which do you consider the most important or urgent?
“The recommendations focus on vulnerable groups and are divided into four main topics. The most important recommendations are likely our suggestions on how to better implement the new housing support law and how to adjust the benefits reform passed this year.
Starting from January 1, 2026, a new housing support law will come into effect in Czechia, aiming to provide systematic help to people in housing need while also strengthening the role of municipalities. It recognises housing as one of the key challenges currently facing Czechia.
“Certainly. We believe the new Czech housing support law is a valuable tool, but it needs to be made more effective. For example, we think it is important to broaden the law’s target groups so it can assist everyone in need, including through preventive measures. We’re glad to have this new law, but it requires strong support to reach its full potential.”
You mentioned specific groups who would benefit from more support. Is there a specific demographic that is most affected by poverty or social exclusion in Czechia?
"We definitely support cooperation between politicians and the public sector."
Eliška Halaštová
“I can definitely mention single mothers or poor families with children. According to some data, we can also see that single elderly people are often at risk of poverty. And we also know that inflation affected these vulnerable groups more than others - for example, single mothers.”
How would you say measures implemented by the government could become more effective? What is one thing that needs to change?
“We definitely support cooperation between politicians and the public sector. And we are also in favour of more oversight, because often we see that the measures are well-prepared, but then the implementation is not always as effective.”
