The influence of social support in reducing poverty risks in 2010 was the highest since 2004, because only 19% of residents were under the risk of poverty after receiving different social benefits, pensions and other compensations. Without such aid this index would have been 46%.

«The social security system has proven its effectiveness both during and after the crisis, providing most of Latvian residents with income. This helped most people survive the harsh times. Right now, the ministry’s priority is to look for methods that would help those who suffered because of the crisis to get back on the job market, as well as help them care for themselves and their families. Political initiatives in the sphere of social support and measures for stimulating employment are all aimed to achieve this,»- reports State Secretary to the Welfare Ministry Ieva Jaunzeme.

WM also says that income difference among residents also decreased a little bit after the crisis, which was influenced by the decrease in income after dismissal, and decrease of salaries, as well as an effective social support policy and the increase of pension amounts for different resident groups.

However, despite separate indexes that show the decrease of poverty risks, poverty depth increased under the influence of the crisis and residents are less often able to pay for different products and services.

Ref: 102.109.109.2230