The European Parliament has called for increased funding and better coordination to address poverty and social exclusion across the European Union, with a target to eradicate poverty by 2035. In a report adopted by 385 votes in favor, 141 against, and 53 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged the European Commission to recognize poverty as a violation of human dignity in its forthcoming anti-poverty strategy.
The Parliament’s proposals emphasize prioritizing child poverty, noting that one in four children in the EU is at risk. MEPs are advocating for enhanced support for member states to implement the European Child Guarantee, which aims to ensure access to free healthcare, education, care, and healthy nutrition for all children in need. They propose allocating at least €20 billion specifically for this initiative. Additionally, they recommend that member states direct at least 5% of their European Social Fund+ resources toward projects targeting child poverty and increase this allocation to at least 10% in countries where child poverty rates exceed the EU average.
Employment is highlighted as a critical factor in combating poverty. The report calls for full employment and social protection to be central objectives of economic and social policies. It also urges the promotion of labor rights and fair wages, including equal pay for equal work. To address working poverty, MEPs suggest improving access to childcare services and providing tailored career guidance.
The Parliament recommends that both the Commission and member states boost public investment in universal access to housing, food, water, sanitation, energy, and transport. These measures are intended to disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty and promote greater social inclusion.
An action plan is requested to end homelessness throughout the EU by 2030. This plan should include targeted support for children and families experiencing homelessness, unemployed workers, and women.
The report also stresses the importance of involving people experiencing poverty in policy design and implementation processes: “The anti-poverty strategy must be ambitious. It must address the structural causes of poverty, promote a fairer distribution of wealth, improve working conditions, ensure robust investment in public services, and guarantee access to decent housing for all. The active participation of people experiencing poverty in the design of the policies, as well as an adequate budget, are essential to achieve this,” said rapporteur João Oliveira (The Left, PT).
According to data from the European Commission cited by Parliament’s background materials from 2024 (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=People_at_risk_of_poverty_or_social_exclusion), about 93.3 million people within the EU were considered at risk of poverty or social exclusion; this includes roughly 20 million children—about one quarter of all children living within EU borders.
In line with previous commitments under initiatives such as the European Pillar of Social Rights action plan adopted in 2021 (https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-investment/european-pillar-social-rights_en), which set out targets like reducing those at risk by at least 15 million—including five million children—by 2030; these latest proposals seek further progress ahead of an expected new anti-poverty strategy from the Commission due later this year.
