Thursday, December 6, 2012
A report on poverty and social exclusion in the EU27 for the year 2011 was unveiled by Eurostat on December 3. According to its findings, 24.2% of the EU27 population, corresponding to 119.6 million people, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2011.
Bulgaria had the highest share, with 49% of the population on the brink of poverty, while Luxemburg and Austria had the lowest index (17%). Greece and Hungary shared sixth place, with 31% of their population on the verge of poverty or social exclusion.
Bulgaria had the highest share, with 49% of the population on the brink of poverty, while Luxemburg and Austria had the lowest index (17%). Greece and Hungary shared sixth place, with 31% of their population on the verge of poverty or social exclusion.
This is equal to 3.4 million Greeks living under at least one of three conditions indicative of poverty or social exclusion risk. In particular, Greece had one of the highest at-risk-of-poverty rates (21% of the population), while 15.2% suffered extreme financial hardship, and 11.8% were living in a very low work intensity household.
For the EU statistics office, being at risk of poverty means living in a household with a disposable income of less than 60% of the national median income (after social transfers).
