EN
Economic reforms started in countries of Central Europe has had neo-liberal character since first years of transformation. Unemployment and pauperization of remarkable part of these societies have become the unintended results of transformation. Although the economic condition of these countries has improved since 1993, poverty has become a constant social phenomenon. The authors present data illustrating socio-economic situation of Central European countries in the first stage of transformation. They also discuss J.Szalaya idea of social structure transformation and social condition of the poor.