| Abstract [eng] |
The social and economic situation in the country over the last decade, partly influenced by socio-economic policy, has had different degree of impact to the standard of living of social groups. One of the main tasks, in order to provide effective poverty reduction measures, is to define the poverty and assess the level of poverty in the state, thus allowing to identify the most impoverished social groups and main factors causing the poverty. Increasing social and economic inequality has set tensions in the society and social exclusion has occurred as the result. A favourable environment for the spread of poverty and social exclusion has been „programmed into the system“ by uneven distribution of wealth and inadequate political representation of social groups also lack of tolerance and the „othering“ has raised discontent within the society. It has to be noted, that personal income is one of the main factors causing the poverty. The work analyses the affect of income differentiation to the poverty and social exclusion in Lithuania, as well as identifying most vulnerable social groups. The objectives of the Master's work - to define the concept of poverty, evaluate the influence of social-economic factors and discuss the options for poverty reduction. This study has shown that the main causes of poverty in Lithuania are similar to those found in other European countries and include unemployment, poor education, ineffective farming, single parent families and child support burden. In order to reduce poverty, individuals should understand that they themselves are responsible for their welfare. Actions and effort of central government, municipal authorities, non-governmental organisations and local communities should be coordinated in order to reduce poverty and social exclusion. |
