Poverty and Social Exclusion: Is this a Problem in Rural Areas in the Visegrad Group Countries?

Purpose: The aim is to reveal and determine the current state of poverty in rural areas in the regions of the Visegrád Group. By comparing the basic features used for measuring poverty, it has been pointed out that there are spatial differences between the regions analyzed. Design/Methodology/Approach: The basic indicators used in this area include the income measure, the relative poverty indicator (at-risk poverty rate – ARPR) and the aggregate indicator (at-risk-of-poverty and social exclusion – AROPE). Findings: In many households in rural areas, as in Poland and Hungary, there is a problem consisting in the fact that financial resources are insufficient to cover the basic needs. As it results from the analyses (especially from at-risk-of-poverty indicator after deducting housing costs), the level of satisfying the remaining needs in rural areas is very low. Practical Implications: This issue is important not only in theoretical term, but also for application purposes. Many households in the Visegrád Group area experience poverty. According to the analyses, the problem of the risk of poverty concerns especially rural residents in Poland and Hungary. It is necessary to take measures in the sphere of social policy that would limit the threat of social exclusion. Originality/Value: Social exclusion and poverty are alarming problems for modern societies – they are obstacles in achieving sustainable social development. The paper discusses important and current issues related to poverty and social exclusion in rural areas in the Visegrád Group countries.