The paper’s main purpose is to identify the differentiation and variation of electricity prices for households in EU countries. The specific objectives are to highlight the directions and differentiation of price changes in EU states, determine the degree of volatility (or stability) of electricity rates, and establish the correlation between electricity prices for household consumers and economic and energy parameters. All members of the European Union were chosen for this project as of 31 December 2019 (28 countries). The analyzed period covered the years 2008–2019. The source of collected information was the thematic literature review and the data from Eurostat. Descriptive, tabular and graphical methods, constant-based dynamics indicators, coefficient of variation, Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used to analyze and present the materials. It was determined that higher electricity prices for households in the EU states were associated with better economic parameters. Developed countries must have higher energy rates because they will ensure energy transformation, i.e., implementing energy-saving technologies. In the EU, electricity prices for household consumers showed little volatility, but that variability increased in line with the surge of the volume of household energy consumption.

The article aims to present a multidimensional assessment of Polish households' financial position and its regional diversity in 2018. In the first stage of the assessment, the financial position was compared between voivodships in a one-dimensional approach, taking into account the level of equivalent disposable income and total expenditure, the savings rate, the shares of food, and housing expenditures. In the second stage, a multidimensional assessment of the financial position was performed, based on the value of the synthetic indicator constructed with the TOPSIS method. Additionally, TOPSIS-based typological classes helped account for determinants of the financial position and subjective evaluation of households in each voivodship. The article drew on unpublished individual data from the Household Budget Survey conducted by the Central Statistical Office of Poland in 2018. Analyses from both stages showed that the households in Mazowieckie and Dolnośląskie voivodships enjoyed the best financial position, followed by Śląskie and Opolskie, while in Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, and Świętokrzyskie -- the worst. With regards to Zachodniopomorskie and Wielkopolskie voivodships, the financial position of their households was similar to the national average. The reasons for these disparities are social, economic, and demographic and include professional activity (being unemployed), the level of education of household head, location, and meeting debt obligations.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the most influential factors impacting the level and dynamics of general income inequalities in Poland, Denmark, Germany, Spain and Romania in the period 2007-2019. Methodology: The study was based on unpublished individual data from the European Survey of Income and Living Conditions carried out by the European Commission. The research was conducted using the procedure of decomposing the Gini coefficient to the general assessment of inequalities as per income source. Results: The study enabled the conclusion that the biggest inequalities in household gross income were present in Romania, and the smallest in Denmark. In Romania and Poland income inequalities are slowly but continuously rising, whilst in Denmark, Spain and Germany, they are in decline. The gross income in the analysed EU households was based on three main elements, namely paid employment, self-employment and pensions, which constituted 86-96% of household financial resources. The diversity of inequality was predominantly influenced by the income from paid employment, interests, dividends and profit from capital investments in unincorporated businesses, self-employment as well as old-age benefits; such benefits showed an equalising effect on income inequalities. Implications and recommendations: Analyses carried out on the basis of microdata can contribute to the formulation of policies, the targeting of interventions, and the monitoring and measurement of the impact of ongoing interventions and policies on the situation of households. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on income inequality by providing a comparative analysis of five European countries, By utilizing unpublished microdata from the European Survey of Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), this research offers a novel approach to identifying the distinct contributions of employment income, self-employment, capital income, and pensions to inequality levels. The study's cross-country comparison covering the period 2007-2019 also provides valuable insights into the heterogeneous impacts of socioeconomic policies across both Western and Eastern European countries. This original dataset and analytical approach support the development of more effective, evidence-based public policies aimed at reducing income disparities.

This article aims to assess the income situation of households in Poland, considering the level of receipts and in[1]come as well as their dynamics and structure. An analysis was also carried out with respect to differences between particular socio-economic groups and between households depending on the number of persons in a household. The Gini coefficient was used for analytical purposes. Moreover, an attempt was made to identify the causes of income diversification. The analysis was carried out based on data derived from household budget surveys conducted by Statistics Poland. The research covered the period from 2000 to 2019 (individual years). The study showed a real increase in the average monthly net receipts and available income in all households. The most favour[1]able financial situation was observed in white-collar workers, self-employed persons and one-person households. The least favourable income situation was found in households of blue[1]collar workers and pensioners and households of six or more persons. However, attention should also be paid to changes taking place in the structure of sources of income generated by household members. There is an increase in income from hired work and social assistance benefits. The highest variations in receipts and available income were observed in households of farmers and those of six or more persons. In contrast, the smallest variations were recorded with respect to households of old-age pensioners and one-person households.

The aim of this article is to assess convergence processes in selected elements of household wealth situation across European Union countries over the period 2008-2019. Household wealth position is analysed indirectly, using indicators reflecting households’ living conditions and material endowment, including housing costs and their share in disposable income, the number of rooms per household, and access to a private car. The empirical analysis is based on individual, unpublished Eurostat microdata from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). The study covers the period 2008-2019. Convergence is examined using regression models commonly applied in studies of economic convergence. The analysis adopts the concept of unconditional β-convergence embedded in the neoclassical theoretical framework of the Solow-Swan growth model. The results confirm the existence of convergence processes in selected elements of households’ wealth situation within the European Union, with considerable heterogeneity in their intensity across indicators. The strongest β-convergence is observed in access to durable goods, with an estimated convergence rate of approximately 5.8% per year, while the weakest convergence is found for housing cost burdens, with annual rates ranging from 1.9% to 2.4%. The findings contribute to the existing literature by providing new micro-level empirical evidence on the convergence of household wealth situation across EU countries.