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Living Conditions Surveys (ULF/SILC) 2020

Most people in Sweden can afford to pay their debts on time

Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2021-10-14 9.30

During the past year, 5 percent of the population fell behind with payments due to financial difficulties. A higher proportion of single men than single women fell behind with payments; 8 percent compared with 5 percent.

Ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, Statistics Sweden is publishing some of the indicators used by the European Union to monitor the share of the population living in, or at risk of falling into, material and social deprivation.

The Living Conditions Surveys include questions on falling behind with certain payments due to financial difficulties. This refers to costs related to the dwelling (mortgage or rent), utility bills such as electricity, heating, and water, as well as other payments such as purchase instalments or loan payments. In 2020, 5 percent of Sweden’s population stated that they fell behind with at least one of these payments during the past year. This means that Sweden lies below the EU27 average, which was 8 percent in 2019. The Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were the EU countries with the lowest percentage, at 3 percent each. The highest percentages were noted in Greece and Bulgaria, at 37 percent and 24 percent respectively.

In Sweden, 10 percent of people who live in single-person households and are below 65 years fell behind with payments due to financial difficulties during the past year. This is somewhat above the EU27 average, which was 9 percent in 2019. Among single-person households of people aged above 65 years, on the other hand, the percentage of those who fell behind with payments was considerably lower, at 2 percent.

Percentage of the population that fell behind with payments due to financial difficulties, EU27, EFTA, and other countries in Europe, 2020

Percentage of the population that fell behind with payments due to financial difficulties, EU27, EFTA, and other countries in Europe, 2020

Source: Eurostat, EU-SILC. *The latest data refers to 2019 **The latest data refers to 2018 ***The latest data refers to 2017

The inability to pay certain loans and bills on time is included in the overarching European indicator on material and social deprivation. Material and social deprivation is defined as not being able to afford at least five out of thirteen designated items. For example, the inability to pay unexpected expenses, afford adequate heating of the home, or the inability to afford to replace worn-out clothes. The indicator also expresses the inability to take part in social activities that cost money, such as a one-week holiday away from home, sharing a meal with friends and relatives at least once a month, or being able to spend money on leisure activities. The indicator on material and social deprivation is a development of earlier EU indicators on material deprivation. By including expenses for socialising, the indicator aims to capture the social dimension that poverty can entail.

Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands were the countries in the EU with the lowest percentage of the population living in conditions of material and social deprivation; between 3 and 5 percent. Romania reported the highest percentage, at 39 percent.

Definitions and explanations

Material and social deprivation is defined as the inability to afford a certain standard of living. This is measured by examining whether people can afford:

  • unexpected expenses,
  • a one-week annual holiday away from home,
  • a meal involving meat, chicken or fish (or vegetarian equivalent) every second day,
  • adequate heating of the dwelling,
  • access to a car,
  • timely payment arrears (mortgage or rent, utility bills, purchase instalments or loan payments),
  • to replace worn-out furniture,
  • to replace worn-out clothes,
  • to own two pairs of shoes,
  • get together with friends/family for a coffee or dinner at least once a month,
  • to have regular leisure activities,
  • to spend a small amount of money each week on him/herself, or
  • access to an internet connection.

A person living in material and social deprivation cannot afford at least five of these thirteen items.

The indicator of material and social deprivation supplements earlier indicators of material deprivation, which focused on consumer goods and the ability to afford certain necessary expenses. By including social activities, such as leisure activities and socialising with friends/family that involve spending money, the indicator aims to capture the social dimension of poverty.

More about the statistics

The EU-SILC (European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions) is a statistical survey that is conducted annually in the EU countries, as well as in several other countries. In Sweden, this survey has formed part of the Survey on Living Conditions (ULF/SILC) since 2008, and enables international comparisons. Further European results are presented on Eurostat’s website.

Eurostat: Income and Living Conditions

Statistical Database

More information is available in the Statistical Database

Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.

Statistical agency and producer

Statistics Sweden, Living Conditions and Democracy Section

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