Subjective poverty rate falls to 17.4% in 2024 – European Commission

Report on Subjective Poverty in the European Union and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Overall Trends and Progress Towards SDG 1: No Poverty

In 2024, the European Union demonstrated progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) with a notable reduction in subjective poverty levels. The data indicates a positive trend in alleviating poverty, a primary target of the global development agenda.

• The overall subjective poverty rate in the EU fell to 17.4% in 2024.
• This represents a significant decrease from the 19.1% rate recorded in 2023.
• This improvement directly contributes to the objectives of SDG 1, which aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere.

National Disparities and the Challenge for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Despite the overall positive trend, significant disparities persist among member states, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The vast difference in subjective poverty rates across the EU underscores the need for targeted policies to ensure equitable progress.

Member States with Highest Subjective Poverty Rates

1. Greece: 66.8%
2. Bulgaria: 37.4%
3. Slovakia: 28.7%

Member States with Lowest Subjective Poverty Rates

1. Netherlands: 7.3%
2. Germany: 7.3%
3. Luxembourg: 8.5%

This wide variance indicates that the benefits of economic and social development are not being distributed evenly, a core concern addressed by SDG 10, which seeks to reduce inequality within and among countries.

Age-Related Poverty Dynamics and Broader SDG Linkages

An analysis of subjective poverty by age cohort reveals that while all groups experienced a decline, young people remain the most vulnerable. This data is crucial for policies aimed at achieving multiple SDGs, including those related to health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and decent work (SDG 8).

Subjective Poverty Rates by Age Group (2024)

• Under 18 years: 20.6%
• 18 to 64 years: 17.3%
• 65 years and older: 14.9%

Progress Across Age Groups

A universal decrease in subjective poverty was observed from 2023 to 2024 across all age demographics. The most substantial reduction of 1.8 percentage points was recorded for the 18-64 age group, while the rates for those under 18 and over 65 both fell by 1.6 percentage points. This widespread improvement is a positive indicator for inclusive growth but also highlights the persistent vulnerability of children and young people, which has long-term implications for achieving sustainable development.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article’s central theme is “subjective poverty,” which directly relates to SDG 1’s primary goal of ending poverty in all its forms everywhere. The text provides specific data on the proportion of the EU population considered poor (17.4% in 2024), tracks its decline from the previous year (19.1% in 2023), and presents a country-by-country breakdown, highlighting the relevance of this goal across the EU.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article explicitly analyzes subjective poverty rates across different age groups, revealing disparities. It states that the rate was “highest among people under 18 years, at 20.6%” and lowest for those “65 years and older” at 14.9%. This focus on how poverty affects different demographic groups connects directly to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries, including disparities based on age.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.” The article directly addresses this target by measuring “subjective poverty,” which is a dimension of poverty. It tracks the proportion of the population living in this condition and notes a decrease from 2023 to 2024, which is a step toward the reduction goal of this target. The breakdown by age also aligns with the target’s emphasis on “children of all ages.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article’s data highlights economic disparities based on age. The finding that the subjective poverty rate for people under 18 (20.6%) is significantly higher than for those aged 65 and older (14.9%) points to an inequality in economic well-being among age groups, which this target aims to eliminate.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Indicator 1.2.1: “Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.” The article provides a direct measure for this indicator. The “subjective poverty rate” serves as a specific type of poverty measure. The article provides this proportion for the total EU population (17.4%) and explicitly breaks it down by age group: “under 18 years, at 20.6%”, “18 to 64 years, 17.3%”, and “65 years and older, 14.9%”.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Indicator 10.2.1: “Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.” While the article does not use the “50 per cent of median income” metric, the data on the “proportion of people considered to be subjectively poor” broken down by age group serves as a relevant proxy indicator. It measures economic disadvantage across different age demographics, allowing for the tracking of progress in reducing age-based inequalities as called for by Target 10.2.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ec.europa.eu