Survey finds disabled and pensioners worst hit as household incomes fall

According to a survey conducted by the Central Statistical Office (GUS), last year household income and expenditure was down by around 1%. The biggest fall was experienced by those on disability allowances, who saw their real incomes decrease by 7.3%. Pensioners also fared badly, with their incomes in real terms declining by 4.9%. According to GUS estimates, last year around 54% of Poles were living in families whose disposable income was below the accepted social minimum, and 8% were living at or below the level of absolute poverty, meaning they were unable to satisfy their basic living needs. (Prawo i Gospodarka, pp. 1, 2) P.J.