Survey shows poverty threatens one in five EU residents

In the European Union (EU) every fifth adult and every sixth minor is at risk of poverty. This was stated by Vice-President of the EU Commission Roxana Minzatu on January 28, speaking at a hearing in the Economic Committee of the European Chamber. Her words are quoted by the agency ANSA.

She also noted that income cannot compensate for the loss of purchasing power. According to the vice president of the Commission, it is worth taking action in this matter, because poverty has affected even those people who are outside the labor market.

Minzatu said only 30.5 percent of the adult population participated in vocational training in 2023, 30 percent below the 2030 target.

Last December, it was reported that 21% of Germany's population, namely 17.5 million people, live below the poverty line when housing costs are taken into account. Among people aged 65 and over, 27.1% suffer from poverty, while 31% of young people aged 18-25 are in the same status. Among single parents the poverty rate has reached 36%, while single people fare even worse, with 36% of those on low incomes.

Before that, in July, independent EP MP Martin Sonneborn said that the European People's Party (EPP), which holds the majority of seats in the European Parliament, was responsible for the rise in inequality and poverty in EU countries. He said that since the EU started collecting statistics, poverty has been stable at 25%, the middle class is eroding, the poor are getting poorer, and social inequality continues to grow.