A survey on Income and Living Conditions of Households for 2018 has shown an improvement in the proportion of the population deprived of basics, figures released by the StatisticalĀ Service show.
It said thatĀ the provisional percentage of the population that were severely materially deprived decreased to 10.5% in comparison to 11.5% and 13.6%Ā in 2017 and 2016 respectively
In 2018, the indicator seems to return to the levels that were prevalent before 2010,Ā preserving its downward trend of the recent years after 2013, where it had reached its peak with a percentage of 16.1%.
Severely materially deprived is the population living in conditions severelyĀ constrained by a lack of resources.
They experience at least four out of nine of the following deprivation items (goods or services), they cannot afford:
* To pay on time their rent or utility bills or loans
* A weekās holiday away from home
* To face unexpected expenses
* To keep their home adequately warm
*Ā To eat meat, fish or a protein equivalent every second day
*Ā A car
* A telephone
*Ā A colour TV
*Ā A washing machine
