Livelihood security among the clients of Menedék Association

As there are no comprehensive official data on the social and economic situation of refugees living in Hungary, Menedék Association examined the data of its own clientele. This is approx. 7% of the total population of refugees. It can be assumed that those seeking help from Menedék are in a more vulnerable position than the average, so the sample is not representative.

Based on the data, it can be said that the refugees' knowledge of the Hungarian language and the degree of education obtained here increase in proportion to the time spent in Hungary, and at the same time increases their livelihood security. All three factors of livelihood security: housing security, labor market security and income above the poverty line are also more common among those who have been in the country for a longer time.

Education obtained abroad and English language skills seemed to be less of a determining factor.

A larger proportion of refugee women can be considered vulnerable than refugee men.

A higher proportion of refugee women live in families and have a higher proportion of housing security than refugee men. However, a smaller proportion of women work than men, and they are more likely to live below the poverty line.

The reason for the vulnerability of refugee women may be that they are raising a child alone or that they are victims of domestic violence. Some of the refugee men are vulnerable because of their sexual orientation, while others are vulnerable because they are unaccompanied minors.