The March ‘Social Pulse’ survey, published by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (Dane), revealed that half (50.8 percent) of the Colombians surveyed in 23 cities of the country considered that the economic situation of your household is worse or much worse than a year ago.
Only 6.9 percent believe that they are better or much better, while 42.3 percent say that their situation remains the same. The number of people who have not noticed any change in their economic situation has increasedWell, last January this percentage was 31.8 percent.
(Also read: The reasons for the sharp slowdown of the Colombian economy in 2023)
Regarding the country’s economy, 62.3 percent of those surveyed said that it is worse or much worse; 34.5 percent assured that it remains the same and only 3.1 percent saw an improvement.
Likewise, the Dane survey revealed that 65.8 percent of those consulted At this moment, they do not have greater possibilities to buy clothes, shoes or food. Although the percentage is still high, it should be compared to the 71.3 percent who expected this last January.
additionally, 7 out of 10 people say they don’t have the money to buy furnituretelevision, washing machine or other household appliances, in line with the deterioration that they are observing in their economic situation.
(Also read: The price of the dollar continues to fall in Colombia: this is how the currency closed the week)
The Dane also asked Colombians about the possibilities to save in the next 12 months, to which 45.4 percent said that they would remain the same.
Meanwhile, 44.1 percent stated that there will be worse or much worse and 10.5 percent thought they would be better or much better. It is worth noting that in March the percentage that thinks that the conditions to save are better from the 15 percent reported in December of last year.
As regards food security, the monthly ‘Pulso Social’ survey revealed that in March 26.5 percent of the people consulted only ate two meals a daywhich means an increase of 1.6 percentage points compared to the data from a year ago (24.9 percent).
In a similar percentage (1.5 percent) the number of Colombians who indicated that they had three meals a day decreased. It went from 73.8 percent in March of last year to 72.4 in the same month of 2023.
(Also read: Unemployment adjusts its third April downwards and reaches 10.7% percent)
Another noteworthy fact is that 91.1 percent of the people living in Quibdó consider themselves pooras well as those who live in Sincelejo (85.5 percent), Montería (82.1 percent) and Valledupar (80.1 percent).
Quite the opposite occurs in cities like Bucaramanga (73.7 percent), Armenia (73.3 percent) and Pasto (60.2 percent), where more people believe that they are not.
In addition, most of those surveyed assured that in the next 12 months prices in the country will lose a lot (53 percent) and that employment will improve the same (39.2 percent). Likewise, they said that it is very difficult to access job opportunities (34.4 percent), justice (40.2 percent) and the health system (13.5 percent).
