Risk of poverty or social exclusion fairly small in the Netherlands
According to European standards, the number of Dutch residents running the risk of poverty or social exclusion is relatively small. Compared to other EU countries, few households are struggling to get by.
115 million EU residents at risk of poverty and social exclusion
Nearly a quarter of European Union residents (more than 115 million people) were at risk of poverty and/or social exclusion 2010.
In the 12 newest EU member states, the risk of poverty or social exclusion was significantly higher than in the initial member states (EU 15). Three in ten residents of the new member states were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2010 versus more than two in ten in the EU 15.
Risk lowest in the Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands
With 14 percent, the risk of poverty or social exclusion was lowest in the Czech Republic, followed by long-standing member states like Sweden and the Netherlands with 15 percent. The two states which most recently joined the EU, Romania and Bulgaria, ran the highest risk (more than 40 percent). Within the former EU 15, the risk of poverty or social exclusion was highest in Greece with 28 percent.
Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion, 2010
One in eight Dutch live in households which barely manage to make ends meet
In 2010, 12 percent of Dutch residents were living in households indicating their disposable incomes were hardly or not sufficient to cover their expenses. The percentage was only smaller in Luxembourg and the Scandinavian member states.
In the group of the 12 countries which recently joined the EU, many households report (serious) difficulties in making ends meet. The proportion of people in households finding it (very) hard to get by was on average nearly twice as high as in the long-standing member states. Within the EU 15, Greece in particular performed poorly: nearly six in every ten Greek residents belonged to households with inadequate financial resources.
Persons living in households finding it (very) difficult to get by, 2010
Bart Huynen
Source:
Eurostat,