Items seen as a necessity and lack of those items, Sweden 1992

Item Necessary, should be able to afford Would like to have but can't afford
% %
Medical treatment and medicine if necessary 99.2 0.5
Examination by dental surgeon once a year 96.5 1.6
Vacuum cleaner 96.1 0.6
Glasses, change of glasses if necessary 96.0 2.2
Telephone 95.6 0.3
Householders’ comprehensive insurance 95.6 0.9
A hot meal each day 95.2 0.9
Washing machine 92.1 2.6
Freezer 90.2 2.0
Public transport for one’s needs 87.9 3.7
Modern dwelling (bath/shower, WC, central heating, stove and refrigerator) 84.4 1.4
Self-contained accommodation 81.5 1.6
Not more than two persons in each bedroom 76.7 3.2
A hobby or leisure activity 73.6 5.6
New, not second-hand clothes 73.5 6.5
TV 70.2 0.8
Presents for friends and family at least once a year 69.5 1.3
Daily paper 65.2 5.7
A hair cut every third month 63.2 3.7
A holiday away from home for one week a year, not with relatives or friends 54.5 15.1
Car 47.3 5.9
Balcony or garden 47.4 4.3
Celebrations on special occasions 43.9 4.8
A ‘best outfit’ for special occasions 43.5 3.7
Save at least 500SEK each month 29.4 29.8
A special meal once a week 24.6 5.8
Friends and family round for a meal once a month 23.1 12.1
Stereo equipment 23.1 4.0
Private pension insurance 22.2 28.1
A night out once a fortnight 17.9 14.6
Clothes that in some degree correspond with fashion 15.4 3.9
Go to a theatre, cinema or concert at least once a month 12.9 19.0
Dishwasher 12.0 11.2
Access to summer cottage 10.8 15.0
Video 6.6 6.7
Microwave oven 6.2 10.1

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