Poverty battle not yet won, warns Brussels

High unemployment and skills shortages in some European countries could prevent the EU achieving it's goal of combating poverty by 2010, Brussels said on Wednesday.

A new report on social inclusion unveiled by the European Commission finds that over 55 million people and as many as one in five children are at risk from poverty accross Europe.

The EU is committed to becoming the world's most competitive economy by 2010, and part of this goal includes making a "decisive impact on the eradication of poverty by 2010".

Brussels believes that although progress has been made in the fight against poverty, there is still more work to be done, and it calls on EU member states to learn from each other and exchange good practice.

The data shows that although the average number of EU citizens living at risk from poverty dropped two points from 17 to 15 per cent between 1995 to 2001, poverty risk rates vary widely between member states- with Sweden boasting the lowest level at 10 per cent, and Ireland with the highest rate at 21 per cent.

"Member states must keep up the momentum and ensure that those most at risk do not suffer disproportionately from the slowdown in economic growth or budgetary adjustments," said EU employment chief Anna Diamantopoulou.

"It is vital that member states ensure a consistent link between their inclusion strategies and their economic and employment policies so that they are mutually reinforcing."

According to the Commission there is a clear link between leaving school without the necessary skills for competing in the job market and poverty levels in some member states.

Young people leaving school early without skills are particularly at risk from falling into the poverty gap, accounting for 18.5 per cent of the 18-24 age group.

And the report says that in some countries - such as Portugal, Spain and Italy - as many as 25 per cent of school children leave the education system early making them vulnerable to social exclusion later on in life.

The commission's report will form the basis of a joint Council/Commission report on social inclusion due to be presented to the Spring European Council in 2004.

• Previous article
• Next article