At-Risk-of-Poverty Rate Across EU Member States
Share of population below poverty threshold
The at-risk-of-poverty rate counts the share of people whose equivalised disposable income is below 60% of the national median, making it a measure of relative poverty. It is a core component of the EU's Social Scoreboard and shapes debates around minimum wage policy, social transfers, and regional cohesion funding. Wide gaps between member states reflect differences in wage levels, social safety nets, and economic structure.
All 27 EU Member States Ranked
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What This Indicator Means
Poverty in the EU is measured on a relative basis — income below 60% of the national median — meaning the threshold itself varies enormously across member states. A person classified as poor in Luxembourg would be well above the poverty line in Romania, reflecting the wide income disparities across the bloc. This complicates straightforward comparisons.
The EU's Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan includes a target to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 15 million by 2030. Progress toward this target is monitored through the European Semester process, and structural funds are partly allocated based on regional poverty indicators.
Child poverty is a particular concern: children are disproportionately represented in the at-risk-of-poverty population in many member states, with long-run consequences for educational attainment and social mobility. The European Child Guarantee, launched in 2021, provides targeted funding for early childhood services, nutrition, and housing support.