Combating poverty and social exclusion - A statistical portrait of the European Union 2010

Each year since 1983, the European Parliament and the Council have focused the attention of both the public and national governments on a specific theme. The European years designated for the period between 2005 and 2010 have been closely allied to the social agenda. After the European year for workers’ mobility (2006), equal opportunities for all (2007), intercultural dialogue (2008), and creativity and innovation (2009), the year 2010 has been designated as the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion (1).

The goals of the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion cover four broad objectives and guiding principles:

- a recognition of rights for all people, but especially those in a situation of poverty and social exclusion, to live in dignity and take part in society;

- a shared responsibility and participation, emphasising both collective and individual responsibilities in the fight against poverty and social exclusion;

- promoting cohesion, emphasising the benefits for all society of an eradication in poverty and greater social inclusion, and;

- establishing commitment for concrete action for the eradication of poverty and social exclusion at all levels of governance.

This Eurostat (the statistical office of the European Union) publication presents an overview of the broad range of statistics that are available to the European Commission, national governments and individuals on the topic of poverty and social exclusion for policy purposes and general interest.
These statistics help establish a picture of the current situation regarding poverty and social exclusion in the EU and how this has changed over time in terms of both numbers, composition and form.