Overview
- CBS introduced a method that factors in fixed basic costs and readily available savings and says this update did not cause the higher poverty count.
- Nearly half of those living in poverty had income from work in 2024, often as self‑employed people or employees with few hours.
- An additional 1.1 million residents are classified as near‑poor, with household income up to 25% above the poverty threshold but insufficient assets.
- About a quarter of people in poor or near‑poor households face problematic debts, far above the rest of the population.
- Health gaps are pronounced, with 40% of (near‑)poor reporting poor health and life expectancy lower by roughly nine years for men and seven years for women.