Andrzej Buła· PPE

Nuanced

The percentage of poor people in the European Union is falling slightly, to around 17% in 2024

Omissions

• The MEP did not specify which poverty indicator was being referenced. The EU uses multiple poverty measures: the standard 'at-risk-of-poverty rate' was 16.2% in 2024, while 'subjective poverty' was 17.4%.
• The at-risk-of-poverty rate remained stable at 16.2% compared to 2023, not 'falling slightly' as claimed.
• The broader indicator 'at risk of poverty or social exclusion' (AROPE) was 21.0% in 2024, affecting 93.3 million people.

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat - At-risk-of-poverty rate remains stable in the EU16.2% of the EU population was at risk of poverty in 2024. The share remained stable compared with the survey results in 2023 (16.2%).
• PrimaryEurostat - Living conditions in Europe - subjective poverty statisticsIn the EU in 2024, the share of people who were considered to be subjectively poor was 17.4%, higher than the at-risk-of-poverty rate (16.2%).
• 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.