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The Dual Picture of Deprivation in Europe
Eurostat\’s latest data on the affordability of goods and services paints a vivid picture of two distinct Europes. While some regions are experiencing progress, others continue to struggle with significant challenges. The statistics reveal that around 27.5 million European Union citizens live in conditions of severe deprivation, whether social or material. This term refers to the inability to afford essential goods or services that are considered necessary for an adequate quality of life.
Eastern Europe Faces the Highest Rates
The highest rates of deprivation were found in Eastern Europe, with Romania leading the pack. Here, 17.2% of people face difficulties in making ends meet. This is followed closely by Bulgaria at 16.5% and Greece at 14%. These three countries also topped last year’s chart. However, there is a positive trend: Romania has reduced its rate by 2.6%, while Bulgaria has seen a decrease of 1.5%.
In contrast, some countries have experienced an increase in deprivation. Finland saw a rise of 0.9%, Estonia and Slovakia each recorded a 0.6% increase, and Sweden and Greece both reported a 0.5% rise.
The Least Affected Regions
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, and Luxembourg all reported rates below 2.3%, while Cyprus had the lowest rate at 2.5%. Most regions in the Nordic countries also showed rates below 5.0%, indicating a relatively stable economic situation in these areas.
Understanding Social and Material Deprivation
Living in social and material deprivation does not equate to poverty, but it presents a similar reality. According to Eurostat, individuals in this category often cannot afford basic day-to-day life amenities. For example, they may not be able to afford a one-week holiday annually, an internet connection, or even a meat or fish meal every second day. Additionally, they might lack the ability to go out for drinks once a month.
This form of deprivation also affects comfort levels. People may not be able to handle unexpected expenses, replace worn-out clothing or furniture, or keep their homes adequately warm.
Regional Disparities Across Europe
At a regional level, the figures become even more striking. The Greek Ionian islands have a deprivation rate of 28%, while south-east Romania reports over 26%, and Italy’s Calabria is nearly at 25%. This means that around a quarter of all citizens in these areas cannot afford items or services considered necessary for a decent life.
Italy stands out as having the largest disparity between its richest and poorest areas, with a difference of 24.8 percentage points. Similar gaps have been noted in Greece and Romania, with differences of 20.3 and 16 percentage points respectively.
High Deprivation Rates in Western Europe
In western Europe, the highest deprivation rates are found in France\’s overseas territories. Guyana reports a rate of 19.8 percentage points, while Guadeloupe and La Réunion each have 12.9 percentage points. Calabria aside, the highest rate overall in western Europe was reported in Brussels at 13.6%, followed by the Belgian province of Hainaut at 13.2%.
Demographic Trends in Deprivation
From a demographic perspective, the most severely affected group is men under the age of 18. A total of 8.1% of underage men across the EU live in severe social and material deprivation. In contrast, pensioners and those aged over 65 generally seem to be the least at risk, with a rate of 5.1%.
