Material deprivation is the fact of not possessing durable consumer goods or the absence of the conditions of a minimal existence due to lack of financial resources. Material deprivation is defined as the absence, for financial reasons, of at least three out of nine factors. Coordinated on a European basis, the nine items taken into account relate to the following areas of life:
Financial difficulties:
- capacity to face unexpected financial expenses equal to 1/12 of the at-risk-of-poverty threshold (set at 60%) for a person living alone,
- capacity to afford a one week annual holiday away from home,
- to have no arrears (mortgage or rent, utility bills or hire purchase),
- capacity to afford a meal with meat, chicken, fish (or vegetarian equivalent) every second day,
- ability to keep home adequately warm.
Deprivation of consumer durables:
- owning a colour television, a telephone, a car or having access to a washing machine.
A single member of the household is asked these questions and the answers imputed to all household members. The severe material deprivation rate is defined as the absence, for financial reasons, of at least four out of nine factors.
This definition has been revised. You can find the new definition under the entry "Material and social deprivation" (see link below).
