17% of EU27 population at risk of poverty
- Third of EU population could not afford unexpected expenditure in 2007
- Half a billion inhabitants in the EU27 by January 1st, 329 million in the euro area
- GDP per inhabitant in 2007 ranged from 26% of the EU27
- GDP per inhabitant in 2006 ranged from 25% of the EU27 average to 336%
- 2010 – European year for combating poverty and social exclusion
- Employment rate in the EU27 rose to 65.4% in 2007 Rate for women rose to 58.3%
- Malta one of the worst countries in Europe for waste generation and recycling
- Euro area annual inflation up to 0.9% EU up to 1.4%
- Regional unemployment in EU27 ranged from 2.1% to 25.2% in 2007
- Malta most expensive country in EU for consumer electronics
- Euro area annual inflation down to 0.9% EU to 1.4%
- Euro area unemployment rises to 8.9% and EU27 to 8.3%
- Euro area annual inflation rises to 0.5% and EU to 1.0%
- Euro area annual inflation down to 0.0% EU down to 0.7%
- Euro area annual inflation up to 1.0% & EU up to 1.7%
In 2008, 17% of the population in the EU27 were at risk of poverty. This means that their income after social transfers was below the poverty threshold. Since 2005, the at-risk-of-poverty rate in the EU27 has been nearly stable, varying between 16% and 17%.
The highest at-risk-of-poverty rates in 2008 were found in Latvia (26%), Romania (23%), Bulgaria (21%), Greece, Spain and Lithuania (all 20%), and the lowest in the Czech Republic (9%), the Netherlands and Slovakia (both 11%), Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden (all 12%). Malta stood at 15%.
It should be noted that the at-risk-of-poverty rate is a relative measure of poverty, and that the poverty threshold varies greatly between Member States.
One child in five in the EU27 at risk of poverty
In 20 of the 27 Member States, child at-risk-of-poverty rates were higher than for the total population. In 2008, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for those aged up to 17 years was 20% in the EU27. The highest rates were recorded in Romania (33%), Bulgaria (26%), Italy and Latvia (both 25%), and the lowest in Denmark (9%), Slovenia and Finland (both 12%). Malta stood at 20%.
Elderly people also face a higher risk of poverty than the total population. In 2008, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for those aged 65 years and over was 19% in the EU27. The highest rates were observed in Latvia (51%), Cyprus (49%), Estonia (39%) and Bulgaria (34%), and the lowest in Hungary (4%), Luxembourg (5%) and the Czech Republic (7%). Malta stood at 22%.
Being employed significantly reduces the risk of poverty. In 2008, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for those in employment was 8% on average in the EU27, ranging from 4% in the Czech Republic to 17% in Romania. Malta stood at 5%.
Highest rate of material deprivation in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Latvia
In order to draw a broader picture of social exclusion in the EU, the at-risk-of-poverty rate, which is a relative measure, can be complemented by the material deprivation rate, which describes social exclusion in more absolute terms. The material deprivation rate is defined as the enforced lack of at least three of nine items 4. In 2008, 17% of the EU27 population was materially deprived according to this definition. The highest levels were registered in Bulgaria (51%), Romania (50%), Hungary (37%) and Latvia (35%), and the lowest in Luxembourg (4%), the Netherlands and Sweden (both 5%). Malta stood at 13%.
Looking at some of the individual items defining material deprivation, it appears that in 2008, 37% of the EU27 population could not afford a one week annual holiday away from home, 10% could not afford to keep their home adequately warm, 9% could not afford a meal with meat, chicken or fish every second day and 9% could not afford a personal car.
This News Release, based on data from the EU-SILC survey, is issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union in connection with the opening conference of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, organised by the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency of the EU, and which takes place in Madrid on 21 January 2010.
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