Poverty in the European Union : public opinion perceptions

Abstract

At the turn of the millennium, EU Heads of State and Governments pledged to ‘make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty’ by 2010. Despite that promise, a significant number of Europeans still live in poverty and have limited access to basic social services. Poverty and social exclusion have a negative impact on the ability of individuals to participate in society which, in turn, obstructs economic development. According to the European Commission, around 80 million EU citizens, or 16% of the population, live below the poverty line which is less than 60% of their country’s average household income. This results in many facing serious obstacles in accessing employment, education, housing, social and financial services. According to the same data, 19% of children in the EU are also currently in or at risk of poverty. The 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion stressed the importance of collective responsibility in combating poverty, involving decision makers and actors in the public and private sectors. It covered four broad objectives and guiding principles: a recognition of the right of those living in poverty and suffering social exclusion to live in dignity, and play an active part in society; a shared responsibility for and participation in the fight against poverty, with an emphasis on both collective and individual action; the promotion of cohesion, highlighting the advantages of the eradication of poverty, and greater social inclusion, for all members of society; political commitment at all levels of governance and concrete action to eradicate poverty and social exclusion, as well as a commitment to these goals within societies. A Eurobarometer survey carried out in September of 2009 and published in 2010 to mark the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, addresses the many facets of poverty and social exclusion. The survey examined, among other things, people’s awareness of the extent of poverty within the European Union, the perceived personal and societal reasons behind poverty, who is thought to be most at risk, if people feel somehow threatened by the possible prospect of poverty, how poverty may prevent people from taking full advantage of society, as well as how easy or difficult they perceive access to financial services to be. People’s perception about the urgency of governmental action to combat poverty is also examined, together with the level of administration felt to be mostly responsible for it. The survey highlighted that the majority of Europeans believed poverty was a widespread problem that affects the majority of people in the continent to some degree. In the past five years, Europe has experienced a period of economic upheaval as a result of the global financial crisis putting pressure on Europeans and their governments to revive national economies. At the same time, Ministers of all Member States agreed an EU target that at least 20 million people should be lifted out of poverty by 2020, with a review of the target at 2015. This proposal was accepted by the European Council on 17 June 2010.