A diagnosis of the Financial Situation of Polish Households in the Period of Financial and Economic Crisis

Abstract

Purpose: The article aims to present the financial situation of Polish households affected by financial and economic crisis.

Method: A direct survey based on questionnaire interviews with 1896 households was conducted in order to collect full and up-to-date information on the level of their current incomes, savings, and preventive measures taken to improve the material situation, the subjective assessment of the material conditions and the allocation of monetary resources.

Conclusions/Originality: The article provides a thorough insight into the influence of a financial and economic crisis on the financial situation of Polish households. Based on the conducted survey, the structure of the households’ savings, the changes therein, as well as their projected uses were identified. The preventive and remedial measures that households take to improve their material conditions were also analysed. The direct survey provided an opportunity to evaluate the selected households with respect to their material conditions and the allocation of cash resources.