Intergenerational Transmission of Poverty in Slovakia: Evidence from EU-SILC Data

Abstract

This paper investigates the intergenerational transmission of poverty in Slovakia using microdata from the 2019 ad hoc module of the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). The analysis explores how parental education, economic activity, household composition, and material deprivation shape the risk of poverty in adulthood. Descriptive results indicate strong associations between higher parental education and adult income levels, as well as between maternal labour market participation and household well-being. Logistic regression reveals that the absence of a mother during adolescence, larger household size, lack of access to school supplies, and inability to afford annual vacations significantly increase the likelihood of poverty in adulthood. In contrast, parental employment and a higher number of working household members act as protective factors. Overall, the results point to a persistent influence of early-life disadvantage on adult economic outcomes in Slovakia, in line with international empirical evidence. From a public policy perspective, the findings highlight the critical role of early interventions, particularly those aimed at improving educational opportunities and material living conditions during childhood.