Material and social deprivation is a new indicator that has been used since 2021 that allows to measure the proportion of people who have to forego important goods, services and social activities for financial reasons (see chapter Basics and Surveys). This new indicator is a progression of the former material deprivation rate which it replaces in both Switzerland and at European level. The proportion of deprived persons in Switzerland remains at a similar level as previously. However, the new findings cannot be compared directly with the previous material deprivation rates.
Main results
In 2022, 4.9% of the population in Switzerland were considered materially and socially deprived. As before, the most common type of deprivation is the inability to face unexpected financial expenses of CHF 2500 within one month (18.5% of the population). The next two most frequent deprivations also affected the household as a whole. 9.9% of the population said they did not have the financial means to replace worn-out furniture, and 9.0% were unable to go on holiday for at least one week every year.
At 8.3%, the commonest deprivations at individual level were forgoing a regular leisure activity for financial reasons and the inability to spend some money on themselves every week without having to ask another household member (6.4%).
Persons at risk of poverty have a considerably higher rate of material and social deprivation (15.7%) than those who are not at risk of poverty (2.9%). Persons aged 65 or older, however, are a case apart: although they are especially at risk of poverty, their rate of material and social deprivation (2.7%) is considerably lower than that of the population as a whole.
European comparisons
In 2022, the rate of material and social deprivation is much lower in Switzerland (4.9%) than the European average (EU: 12.7%). In our neighbouring countries it is 5.2% in Austria, 9.0% in Italy, 11.5% in Germany and 14.6% in France. This rate varies in Europe between 3.7% (Luxembourg) and 36.4% (Romania).
Links to the results and publications at European level are listed further below under "Further information" in the paragraph "Links".
Material and social deprivation of employed persons
In 2022, 3.1% of all employed persons in Switzerland were affected by material and social deprivation. This corresponds to 117’000 persons.
The following groups were particularly affected by material and social deprivation despite being employed:
- persons who worked for only part of the year
- persons with irregular working hours
Special attention is given to the question of deprivation of employed persons. In fact, paid work is considered a way to reduce the risk of being affected by poverty.
More information on poverty and the risk of poverty of employed persons can be found here:
Poverty of employed persons
Risk of poverty of employed persons
European comparisons
The material and social deprivation rate of employed persons in Switzerland in 2022 was 3.1%, well below the European average of 8.3%. Austria was our only neighbouring country with a lower rate than Switzerland. In contrast, in Germany, France and Italy, it was considerably higher.
Child-specific deprivation in children aged under 16
These data were collected in the context of the European " Deprivation and health of children" module, which forms part of the SILC 2021 survey and will take place every three years. Data on child deprivation come from the information about children provided by the adult who answered the household questionnaire. If a child was found to be deprived for financial reasons, all children in the household were classified as deprived for financial reasons. The concept of child-specific deprivation as defined by Eurostat differs to that of material and social deprivation. It is made up of 17 different items of deprivation at child-specific and household level. Data on most items are collected only within this module. According to the European definition, a child under the age of 16 is considered to be in child-specific deprivation if at least three out of the 17 items are affected.
Main results
Definitions
1 Where a deprivation out of financial reasons affects at least one child, all other children in the household are considered to be deprived in this area.
In 2021, 6.4% of children under the age of 16 living in Switzerland were affected by at least 3 of 17 child-specific deprivations, 12.3% were deprived of at least two of 17 items and 23.4% of at least one item.
The most common deprivation is the financial inability of a household to replace worn-out furniture. 13.4% of children live in such a household. This is followed by children who live in a household with at least one type of arrears (10.5%). 6.1% of children aged under 16 live in a household that is unable to pay for a one week holiday away from home and 5.5% in a household that is unable to afford paid regular leisure activities.
European comparisons
At 13.0%, the average child-specific deprivation rate in Europe is twice as high as in Switzerland. Among Switzerland's neighbours, only Germany (6.0%) has a lower deprivation rate. The European countries with the lowest rates are Slovenia, Sweden and Finland. The highest rates are found in Romania and Bulgaria.
Child-specific deprivation by socio-demographic characteristics
Although the child-specific deprivation rate in Switzerland is relatively low, there are clear differences by socio-demographic characteristics.
Children of parents with a low level of education, low income or in households at risk of poverty, as well as children with foreign nationality and children living in single-parent households are considerably more likely to be affected by child-specific deprivation.
The proportion of deprived children also rises with increasing urbanisation. In densely populated areas, children are 4.6 times more likely to live in child-specific deprivation than in sparsely populated areas.
Child-specific deprivation is made up of 17 items, 5 of which are surveyed at household level and 12 that relate specifically to children under the age of 16. A child under the age of 16 is considered deprived if they lack at least 3 of the 17 items.
The following table allows a comparison between the concepts of material and social deprivation and child-specific deprivation.
| Material and social deprivation | Child-specific deprivation | |
|---|---|---|
| Items on household level (all persons in the household, incl. children) | ||
| A car | x | x |
| No arrears | x | x |
| Able to meet unexpected financial expenses of CHF 2500 within one month | x | |
| Able to pay for a one week holiday away from home once a year | x | |
| A meal with meat, fish or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day | x | |
| Able to keep the home adequately warm | x | x |
| Replacing worn-out furniture | x | x |
| Items on individual level (only persons aged 16 and over) | ||
| An internet connection at home (including smartphone, tablet, etc.) | x | x |
| To be able to replace worn-out clothes with new ones | x | |
| Two pairs of properly fitting shoes, one of which is all-weather | x | |
| Spending some money on oneself each week | x | |
| Regular paid leisure activities | x | |
| Invite family or friends at least once a month | x | |
| Child-specific items (indicated by the adult who answered the household questionnaire)1 | ||
| Some new clothes | x | |
| At least two pairs of properly fitting shoes | x | |
| Fresh fruit and vegetables at least once a day | x | |
| One complete meal at least once a day | x | |
| Suitable books except school books | x | |
| At least one piece of outdoor leisure equipment (bike, scooter, etc.) | x | |
| Indoor games | x | |
| Regular paid leisure activities, outside of home | x | |
| Celebrations on special occasions | x | |
| Invite friends from time to time | x | |
| School trips and school events that cost money | x | |
| A one week holiday away from home per year | x | |
| 3 of 13 | 3 of 17 |
Unmet needs for health care
Unmet needs for health care of persons aged 16 and over (2022)
Unmet needs for health care of persons less than 16 years (2021)
Main results
In 2022, 3.6 times more people aged 16 and over in Switzerland go without necessary dental treatment for financial reasons, including visits to the dental hygienists and orthodontists, than go without medical treatment (2.7% and 0.8% respectively).
Those most frequently affected by at least one of the two unmet needs for health care are materially and socially deprived persons, the unemployed, persons living in the French speaking part of Switzerland and those with a low level of education. The percentage of people who are unable to access health care, in particular dental treatment, falls with increasing income.
European comparisons
Also in European countries people are more likely to forego dental treatment than other medical treatment for financial reasons. People in Greece and Latvia are particularly likely to go without necessary dental care.
As with the population aged over 16, the proportion of children under 16 foregoing dental treatment for financial reasons is lower than the European average (1.5% compared with 4.4%). Practically no children in Switzerland had to forego medical treatment for financial reasons.
Furthermore, as in most European countries, children at risk of poverty are considerably more likely to go without dental treatment (including dental hygienists or orthodontists). In Switzerland, 3.4% of children at risk of poverty go without necessary dental treatment, compared with 1.1% of children who are not at risk of poverty. However, the risk of poverty has no influence on children going without medical treatment in Switzerland.
List of countries and accession status from 2021
EU
AT=Austria, BE=Belgium, BG=Bulgaria, CY=Cyprus, CZ=Czechia, DE=Germany, DK=Denmark, EE=Estonia, EL=Greece, ES=Spain, FI=Finland, FR=France, HR=Croatia, HU=Hungary, IE=Ireland, IT=Italy, LT=Lithuania, LU=Luxembourg, LV=Latvia, MT=Malta, NL=Netherlands, PL=Poland, PT=Portugal, RO=Romania, SE=Sweden, SI=Slovenia, SK=Slovakia.
Other countries
CH=Switzerland, ME=Montenegro, MK= North Macedonia, NO=Norway, RS=Serbia, UK=United Kingdom.
Further information
Statistical sources and concepts
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Income, Consumption and Living ConditionsEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
- Tel.
- +41 58 463 68 04