New Method to Investigate the Regional Characteristics of Social Inequalities in the Southern Transdanubian Region of Hungary

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to measure the structural and territorial characteristics of social inequalities among people, primarily those under the age of 18 and over the age of 50 by developing a superscript (rDSS index). The territorial framework of the study is the Southern Transdanubian Region of Hungary, within which social service needs of the affected population are mapped out as well as the factors influencing it. The methodological basis of the investigation is constituted by secondary data of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. Four indicator groups were defined from the variables that formed the index: family background, economic activity and demography, educational attainment and housing conditions. The index helped to identify, among other things, prosperous, intermediate and disadvantaged settlements. The latter are mainly small villages where, due to poor infrastructure, people have limited access to services that are available in cities and few social service organizations are established. In South Transdanubia, such types of settlements are the segregated, predominantly small border villages, the small settlements of Hegyhát and Zselic areas as well as the disadvantaged settlements of Outer- and Inner-Somogy areas and Hegyhát in Tolna County. The assessment of the outlined territorial pattern thus makes it possible to create complex support systems, contributing to the improvement of the situation of the investigated target groups.