Despite caps approved by the government, housing costs could account for up to 34% of their monthly income, according to an analysis by PAQ Research based on data from the Czech Statistics Office (CZSO) on household energy consumption.

Households with children, or the poorer half of them, are expected to be hit the hardest. Calculations show that the number of families with children whose housing expenses will account for more than 30% of their income will increase.

Currently, this affects 23% of people, but after the New Year, the proportion could rise to 31%.

A quarter of families will be left with less than CZK 3,000 (appr. EUR 123.50) per person a month, or CZK 100 per day, after paying for food and housing.