The final Employment and Social Policy Council held under the Spanish Presidency in Luxembourg has agreed to try to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty by at least 20 million in the coming decade

This goal will be passed on to the heads of state and government for inclusion in the 2020 Strategy for sustainable growth, which will be approved at the summit on 17 June which brings the Spanish six-month tenure ahead of EU Presidency to a close.

To achieve this goal of reducing the number of poor people by 20 million the ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved the use of common indicators. According to such indicators, those Europeans whose income is less than 60% of the national average are considered at risk of poverty, as are those who cannot afford certain goods and services, as well as families where all members of working age are unemployed. 

Countries will now carry out their own poverty reduction programmes and the European Commission will evaluate their efficacy and coordination.

Almost 80 million Europeans – or 17% of people across the EU – currently live below the poverty threshold. This alarming fact has found a strong echo in public opinion, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey on attitudes to poverty. The vast majority of Europeans (73%) consider poverty to be a widespread problem in their country, with 89% calling for urgent action by their government to tackle the problem. While most people consider their national government as primarily responsible, 74% also expect the EU to play an important role.

Along this year, EU is celebrating 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Under the slogan “Stop Poverty Now!”, it aims to recognise the fundamental right of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to take an active part in society.