Low income

Another article in VI OVER 60 explains that EU's definition of "low income" is considered to be 60 percent of the average income in a specific country, according to the number of persons in the household.

For Norway the definitions were like this in 2005:
Single person: 139 00 Norwegian crowns after paying taxes.
Single person providing for children: 18o 000 Norwegian crowns.
Couple without children : 208 000 Norwegian crowns.
Couple with one child: 249 000 Norwegian crowns.
Couple with two children: 291 000 crowns.

Most of those receiving the minimal pension come under the sums the EU used:
A single person receives a little less than 120 000 Norwegian crowns.
In the beginning of this year there were close to 180 000 persons receiving the minimal pension.
Out of these, close to 158 000 were women.

Also:
Those with low income had greater difficulties with having a PC, a car or taking one week of vacation away from home.
Some of those with low income cannot afford meat or fish for dinner, or to keep their home warm enough.
Many find it difficult to pay their monthly expenses, and in particular the expenses for having a place to live, feels difficult.
Out of the general population 20 % use one fourth or more of their income for a place to live.
In the population living on low income , more than half use a fourth or more of their income for a place to live.