EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE SUBCARPATHIAN VOIVODESHIP

Abstract

Aim: This paper attempts to diagnose the economic situation of households in the Subcarpathian Voivodeshipin the years 2014–2022, and to determine the importance of education as a differentiating factor. Methods:For this purpose, an analysis was conducted of the results of questionnaire studies conducted in five consecutiveperiods, which rendered it possible to compare the situation over time. The data are sufficient to presenta general account of the economic situation, as well as its 8 different aspects. Variance analysis allowed forthe statistical verification of the significance of education from the perspective of the economic situation ofhouseholds. Results: The results obtained indicate that better education improves the economic situation ofa household, although the differences disappear with general economic change. The research indicates thatthe least educated are exposed to the most socioeconomic risk, which manifests in difficulties in meeting theirmost basic subsistence needs. Simultaneously, the economic situation of those with the highest human capitalis the most stable, which proves that higher education is a factor that improves the resilience of one’s livingstandards to external disruption. Conclusions: Generally, it is possible to conclude that education remainsa factor in strengthening households’ economic security. The research is original in that it fills an empiricalgap related to verifying the existence of differences in material living standards due to educational attainmentby way of using dynamic comparisons to diagnose the situation in a peripheral region of Poland.