122 million people live at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. That’s almost one in four citizens. Over half of them are women.

The Europe 2020 Strategy sets the target of lifting at least 20 million people out of poverty by 2020 but reaching the goal will be a challenge. The number of people living in poverty has actually increased by an additional 5 million people over the last six years.

Poverty and social exclusion among women and men in Europe is the subject of EIGE’s upcoming report to support the Slovakian Presidency of the Council of the EU in monitoring the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in Europe.   

EIGE’s study will outline a more complete picture of poverty by connecting gender with other inequalities that will look at the most vulnerable groups of women and men. Based on EU-wide data since 2008, the report will track trends in political as well as social development. It will also analyse the impact of the economic crisis on women and men in Europe.

Factors such as age, ethnicity, citizenship and household type can affect vulnerability to poverty and social exclusion. The report will therefore focus on the situation of lone parents, migrants, Roma population and young and elderly people. It will develop a new indicator to provide a better understanding of poverty in relation to gender and migration.

The report will be published by the end of 2016. To read more about women and poverty click here.