Greece Struggles, Cyprus Shines in new poverty report

A caller Eurostat study reveals that 24.2% of children crossed the EU—nearly 1 successful 4—faced poorness oregon societal exclusion risks successful 2024. While the bloc saw a flimsy betterment (down 0.6% from 2023), the information highlights stark disparities betwixt subordinate states—with Greece performing worse than the EU average, portion Cyprus emerges arsenic a apical performer.

Greece reported 27% of children astatine risk—significantly higher than the EU mean (24.2%) and unchanged from 2023.

Cyprus, meanwhile, had 1 of the lowest rates successful the EU astatine conscionable 14.8%, outperforming wealthier nations similar Germany (18.4%) and France (21.2%).

The information exposes a increasing disagreement successful the Mediterranean:

High-risk countries: Spain (34.6%, 2nd worst successful EU), Italy (28.3%), and Greece (27%) proceed to conflict with kid poverty.

Cyprus’s success: The land federation not lone ranks 3rd champion successful the EU but has maintained consistently debased rates since 2022. Experts recognition targeted societal benefits and taxation reforms for moving families.

EU-Wide Trends

Worst performers: Bulgaria (35.1%), Spain (34.6%), Romania (33.8%).

Biggest improvements: Romania (-5.2%), Ireland (-3.7%), Hungary (-3.3%).

Deteriorations: Finland (+3.5%), Croatia (+2%), Bulgaria (+1.2%).

The study comes arsenic the EU prepares its 2030 Child Guarantee Initiative, aiming to halve kid poorness successful high-risk nations—a program Greece whitethorn request to prioritize.