Poverty rates have decreased in the European Union
Despite a decrease in the poverty rate in some European Union countries, the situation is critical in France and the Nordic countries
According to the EU’s statistical office, Eurostat, “the overall poverty rate in the EU fell to 17.4 %, decreasing sharply in southern and eastern countries (Cyprus -38 %). However, Eurostat confirms that it rose in France (+2 %) and the Nordic countries. Greece maintains the highest rate (67 %), and the youth population continues to be the most affected.”
The case of France stands out in the region, as it is one of the few nations with an increase in poverty rates over the last decade. Residents report serious difficulties making ends meet. France is followed by Denmark (2.4 %), Finland (2%), Sweden (2.8 %), and, outside the EU, Norway (4.7 %).
Regarding the countries where poverty has been reduced, Cyprus stands out (-38 %), followed by Croatia (-34.6 %), Hungary (-26.8 %), Bulgaria (-26.5 %), and Romania (-21.8 %).
Currently, the overall poverty rate in the EU is 17.4 %, “meaning that almost two out of every ten people have serious difficulties getting by. The latest rate reported by Eurostat represents a slight improvement compared to 2013, when it stood at 19.1 %, and a ten-point improvement compared to 2015 (27.1 %).”
However, countries like Greece maintain very high rates; the current percentage is almost 67 %, followed by Bulgaria, with 37 %, and Slovakia, with almost 29 %.
The most affected segments of the population are minors; that is, those under 18 years of age, who registered 20.6 %, “while people aged 65 and over registered the lowest rate, at 14.9 %.”
M.Pino
Source: euronews
(Reference image source: Andres Siimon on Unsplash)
Visit our news channel on Google News and follow us to get accurate, interesting information and stay up to date with everything. You can also see our daily content on X/Twitter and Instagram
