Gospodarstwa domowe z wysokim udziałem wydatków na zdrowie – charakterystyka i wzorzec konsumpcji
Characteristics and consumption pattern of Polish households with a large share of health expenditure

Summary/Abstract: The research described in this paper focuses on the income and spending of Polish households, particularly on their consumption expenditure. The aim of the paper was to identify households with a large share of health expenses, as well as to examine their economic and socio-demographic profile and consumption pattern. The research covered selected years from the period of 2000–2019 (and 2020 in the case of consumption expenditure). The calculations were based on individual data collected in the household budget survey conducted by Statistics Poland. The analyses used various statistical measures, including positional and classic position measures. Additionally, a proprietary measure was constructed specifically to identify households with a large share of health expenditure. It was assumed that in these households the share of health-related expenses constituted at least 10% of their disposable income and not less than 25% of their consumption spending, excluding food, and the level of their disposable income did not exceed the level of the median income for the total number of respondents. The results indicated large shares in health expenditure in approximately 3% of Polish households in the years 2000–2019. A poor consumption pattern was observed among these households, which means that their budget allowed their living and consumption needs to be satisfied at a minimum subsistence level. Households with large shares of health expenditure consisted primarily of older people (over the age of 70), with a lower level of education and living in the countryside. These households were mostly formed by one or two people, about half of whom were married.

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