Regional prevalence and intensity of poverty in Slovakia in the context of polycrisis: An analysis using FGT indices

This study examines the relationship between poverty rate and intensity in Slovakia amid the cost-of-living crisis. Using Foster-Greer-Thorbecke indices, the research analyses poverty distribution across four income categories below the poverty line, moving beyond binary classifications toward interval measures. Data show that while 11.4% of the population in Slovakia suffered from income poverty in 2020, this had increased to 14.5% by 2024. Six of eight Slovak regions experienced an increase in poverty depth between 2022 and 2023, confirming a correlation between the poverty rate and its intensity. The study contributes methodologically by providing granular views of poverty intensity and challenging assumptions about economic hubs driving equitable growth, as evidenced by Bratislava's region, with a 36.7% poverty risk. It identifies regional vulnerabilities requiring targeted interventions and demonstrates that Slovakia's experience exemplifies the need for region-specific approaches to address poverty in the EU's polycrisis context.