The number of people whose incomes are below the minimum judged by the state necessary to afford the basic necessities of life rose to 626,000 this year, or 12% of the population, up from 393,000 in 1997.
Poverty has increased markedly in Slovakia since the Mikuláš Dzurinda government in 1999 began a series of economic austerity packages.
The packages raised regulated prices and were accompanied by soaring unemployment.
