Did you know that 8.2% of EU workers are at risk of poverty? This might seem like a small number, but it's a significant issue that affects millions of people across Europe. The Key Figures on European living conditions 2025 edition, published by Eurostat, provides a comprehensive overview of how Europeans live today. This report covers a wide range of topics, from income distribution and inequality to households, work intensity, childcare, health, disability, and discrimination. Today, we'll focus on the data related to people who work but are at risk of poverty.
The risk of poverty doesn't just affect people living in households with low work intensity or those without employment. In 2024, 8.2% of people aged 18 or over who declared to be at work (employed or self-employed) in the EU were at risk of poverty. Interestingly, this share was notably lower for women (7.3%) than for men (9.0%).
Among the EU countries, the highest rate of people who were in-work and at risk of poverty was 13.4% in Luxembourg. In contrast, the lowest rate was 2.8% in Finland. This highlights the significant disparities in living conditions across the EU.
In 22 EU countries, the in-work at-risk-of-poverty rate was higher for men than for women, with the largest gender difference observed in Romania (8.1 percentage points). In Germany, the rates were the same for men and women, while in Czechia, Latvia, Cyprus, and Luxembourg, the rates were higher for women than for men. This data suggests that gender plays a role in the risk of poverty, even among those who are employed.
The Key Figures on European living conditions publication offers essential data on the EU and allows you to compare developments across EU and EFTA countries. For a more detailed view of the EU’s performance in other fields, explore other Key figures publications. Remember, understanding these issues is crucial for creating a more equitable and supportive society for all Europeans.
What do you think about these findings? Do you agree with the data presented, or do you have a different perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
