Lina Gálvez· S&D

Overestimated

Data from 2025 show that more than 65 million women are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and the average gender pension gap is more than 25%.

Omissions

• The MEP cited 2025 data, but Eurostat data for 2025 would not yet be available or finalized by February 2026; the most recent authoritative data is from 2024
• The number of women at risk of poverty or social exclusion (approximately 50 million) is significantly lower than the 65 million claimed
• The total EU population at risk of poverty or social exclusion was 93.3 million in 2024, making the claim of 65 million women mathematically implausible (would represent 70% of all people in poverty)
• Source citing 24.5% gender pension gap was published on February 25, 2026 (after the session date), though it refers to 2024 data that would have been available earlier
• The EAPN article citing 21.9% poverty rate for women is a secondary source, not the primary Eurostat publication

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat - People at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024In 2024, 93.3 million people in the EU (21.0% of the population) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion
• PrimaryEurostat - Women's pension 25% lower than men's in 2024In 2024, the average pension for women aged 65 or over in the EU was 24.5% lower than that for men
• PrimaryEurostat - Women in the EU - Statistics ExplainedIn 2024, the EU gender pension median gap stood at 25%, meaning women aged 65 or over received pensions one quarter lower than men's
• SecondaryEuropean Anti-Poverty Network - Eurostat updated poverty statistics May 2025Women face poverty rate of 21.9% versus 20.0% for men in the EU (2024 data)