Cyprus Among EU Countries with Lowest Poverty Rates, Greece Among Highest

Unlike countries such as Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria, which report high levels of severe material and social deprivation, Cyprus stands out as one of the European Union nations with the lowest poverty rates. According to Eurostat, only 2.4% of the population in Cyprus experienced severe deprivation in 2023, placing it among the top countries in Europe in this regard, alongside Slovenia, Sweden, and Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, Greece remains strongly associated with poverty. It ranks among the top three EU countries with the highest percentages of people facing severe material and social deprivation, according to data released for 2023 by the European Statistical Service. Specifically, 6.8% of the overall EU population was affected by severe poverty and deprivation in 2023. Among the countries with the highest rates, Greece stands out with 13.5% (about 1 in 7 citizens), surpassed only by Romania, which recorded the highest percentage in the EU at 19.8%, and Bulgaria, which followed with 18.0%. The top five is completed by Hungary (10.4%) and Spain (9.0%).

On the other hand, Slovenia (2%), Cyprus (2.4%), Sweden, Luxembourg, and Estonia (all 2.5%) reported the lowest levels of severe deprivation in 2023, showing a stark contrast between countries in the region.

The severe material and social deprivation (SMSD) rate is a key EU-SILC indicator that highlights the significant lack of essential and desirable items required for an adequate standard of living. This indicator, developed by the Indicators Sub-group (ISG) of the Social Protection Commission (SPC), identifies individuals who cannot afford specific goods, services, or social activities. It is defined as the proportion of the population experiencing forced deprivation in at least seven out of thirteen types of deprivation, six of which relate to the individual and seven to the household.

At the household level, the SMSD index considers factors such as the ability to handle unexpected expenses, afford a one-week annual holiday away from home, manage late payments on mortgages or rent, utility bills, or loan installments, afford a meat meal, chicken, fish, or vegetarian equivalent every other day, ensure adequate household heating, and access a car or van for personal use, as well as the ability to replace worn furniture.

For individuals, the index assesses their ability to connect to the internet, replace worn clothes and shoes, engage in leisure activities, and meet friends or family for a drink or meal at least once a month. These factors paint a comprehensive picture of deprivation and the challenges faced by those living in poverty.

By fLEXI tEAM