CHANGES IN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF RURAL AND URBAN HOUSEHOLDS FROM 2015 TO 2022

The aim of the study was to assess the financial situation of rural and urban households and its changes from 2015 to 2022. This evaluation was based on unidimensional values, financial situation indicators, and the value of a synthetic indicator determined using the multidimensional TOPSIS method. The data source was individual, non-identifiable data from the “Household budget survey” conducted by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) from 2015 to 2022. It was found that during the examined period, the financial situation of rural households was rated lower than that of urban households. In the pre-COVID-19 period, i.e., from 2015 to 2019, there was a significant improvement in the financial situation of both rural households (rating from low to medium-low) and urban households (rating from medium-high to high). During the pandemic period, i.e., from 2020 to 2022, the financial situation of rural households deteriorated slightly and was rated as medium-low. On the other hand, in urban households, slight improvements and declines in their financial situation were observed alternatively over the subsequent years.