Almost 20 Million Children at Risk in EU

In a recent report, Eurostat revealed that nearly 20 million children in the European Union faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023. The data highlights significant disparities among member states, with Romania and Spain exhibiting the highest rates at 39% and 34.5%, respectively. In contrast, Slovenia, Finland, and the Netherlands reported much lower figures, with rates of 10.7%, 13.8%, and 14.3%, respectively. The 'at risk of poverty or social exclusion' (AROPE) metric encompasses various factors, including the risk of poverty, severe material deprivation, and living in low work intensity households. Notably, individuals are counted only once, even if they fall into multiple categories. The material deprivation assessment considers whether households lack access to essential items, such as the ability to pay utility bills or maintain adequate heating, with specific criteria determining the deprivation status of children in these households. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan aims to alleviate poverty, targeting the uplift of 15 million individuals, including at least 5 million children, by 2030. However, the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation complicate the achievement of this goal, as highlighted by Eurostat's findings. In response to these pressing issues, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a groundbreaking "first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy" during her presentation of the Political Guidelines for 2024-2029. The guidelines emphasize the need for renewed efforts towards social equity and the effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.