Unveiling vulnerabilities: Factors shaping household income decline risk during crises

Unexpected crises disrupt household incomes and create new groups of vulnerable individuals. This paper contributes by identifying individuals at risk of income decline during a pandemic. Using a questionnaire, the study obtained a representative dataset (n = 2,368). Applying ordinal logistic regression, it identifies categories of life-aspect attitudes and socio-economic and demographic factors associated with a higher probability of income decline. A robustness analysis assesses model performance across three household income groups. The model appears most appropriate for low-income households with monthly income below CZK 40,000. Individuals unable to adapt to new work organization and online communication emerge as particularly vulnerable, as do entrepreneurs residing in small towns. Identifying vulnerable groups during periods of economic volatility, such as a pandemic, enables targeted social support that can reduce social inequalities and promote sustainable development.