Across the EU, one in five people is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This is not just a statistic - it represents the daily struggles of individuals and families trying to live with dignity in societies that do not fulfil their promise of equal opportunities.
Caritas Europa’s member organisations, present in local communities across Europe, see the reality behind these numbers. They see the consequences of policies that fail to protect people living in the most vulnerable situations: despair, isolation, exclusion and the obligation to make impossible life choices to survive.
Despite multiple initiatives and well-meaning commitments, poverty in Europe remains stubbornly high. In 2024, 93.3 million people in the EU (21% of the population) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion - a figure that has barely shifted over the past five years. The EU’s 2021 pledge to reduce this number by at least 15 million by 2030 now looks increasingly out of reach. If we are to change course, it is not enough to try harder. We must try differently.
The “Gut Pisdorhof” residence in Cologne provides a supportive living environment for adults with intellectual disabilities. Credit: Caritas Germany
A bold, rights-based strategy for lasting change
The European Commission’s planned 2026 anti-poverty strategy has the potential to be a game-changer, but only if it builds on real evidence, breaks with short-term solutions and is adequately funded. It must be coherent, rights-based and rooted in the EU’s founding values: human dignity, equality, freedom and social justice.
Poverty is not only about low income or lack of basic services. It is a multi-dimensional reality shaped by inequality, marginalisation, discrimination and the erosion of human agency. Someone might have a place to live and a job, but still struggle to access education and stable work, or to be heard in their community. Even when basic needs appear met, people can still experience poverty, especially when social expectations grow but real opportunities remain out of reach. An effective strategy must therefore tackle all these dimensions. It needs to provide a comprehensive policy framework, strong governance and adequate, predictable funding.
It must embed anti-poverty objectives across all other policy areas — from fiscal rules and free movement to energy, climate and digital transitions to ensure coherence and prevent unintended harm to those already in vulnerable situations.
Minimum income: a cornerstone for change
Robust minimum income schemes are central to this vision. When properly designed and resourced, they are not just safety nets but enablers of inclusion and participation. They ensure everyone can access the resources and services necessary for a life in dignity, while supporting pathways to employment, education, housing and healthcare.
However, Caritas Europa’s 2025 CARES poverty report “Thriving, not just surviving” reveals that most minimum income schemes across Europe fall short. Nearly 90% of the 20 Caritas Europa member organisations surveyed indicated that existing benefits in their countries fail to cover even basic needs. Only five countries provide minimum income support reaching 75% of the poverty threshold for individuals and families.
Access barriers are another major concern. Over a third of the systems analysed exclude young adults aged 18 to 25 unless they meet additional, often arbitrary, conditions. Migrants or people without stable housing are frequently left unsupported. Bureaucratic complexity and stigma further discourage many from even applying.
Complex procedures and lack of information also fuel widespread non-take-up, leaving countless individuals and families without the help they need and are entitled to.
The EU must close these gaps by setting binding basic standards to ensure minimum income schemes are adequate, accessible, connected to other services and properly monitored.
A moment to act, with ambition
No strategy can succeed without proper resources. Adequate and predictable funding must back the strategy at EU and national levels. Clear governance is equally vital: tackling poverty requires coordination across EU institutions, national governments and local authorities. That’s why appointing an EU Anti-Poverty Coordinator could play a key role in driving implementation and ensuring accountability.
Just as importantly, people living in poverty must be included in shaping the policies that affect their lives. A formal EU Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism should be established to ensure meaningful involvement of civil society, social partners and, critically, people experiencing poverty.
The EU claims to be a global model of democracy and fairness. But a society that tolerates such widespread hardship cannot lay claim to true progress. The strength of the European project will not be judged by GDP growth, but by whether it creates a cohesive society in which no one is left behind.
Looking ahead, the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework represents a crucial opportunity for the EU to reaffirm and strengthen its commitment to social Europe and the fight against poverty. Yet, the current proposal leaves uncertainty about the priority these objectives will be given and the role of social and cohesion funds in the future EU budget. Much remains unclear regarding the scope and impact of the announced 14% reserved for social objectives, raising legitimate concerns that social Europe could be sidelined at a time when reinforcement is most needed.
Let 2026 be remembered not just as the year another EU strategy was published, but as the year we chose courage over complacency. A Europe that turns the tide on poverty will not only meet its targets, but it will also redefine what kind of a Union it wants to be. Because fighting poverty is not just a matter of policy. It is the moral test of our time.
At “La Maison des Familles” in Bordeaux, Hiba and Julie share a gentle moment with a baby in a welcoming space where families connect, create and break isolation. Credit: Sébastien Le Clézio/Secours Catholique-Caritas France
Where there is a need, there is a Caritas
The Catholic Caritas confederation, with over 160 national members, is the second-largest humanitarian actor in the world.
Caritas Europa is the European arm, representing a network of 49 member organisations in 46 countries. Our members assist and provide services to millions of people in need.
We work with people of all faiths to end poverty and to promote the dignity of all. We believe that people and the environment, not profits, should be at the heart of all policies.
