Tackling child poverty and promoting the social inclusion of children in the EU

The 27 national experts’ reports show that child poverty and social exclusion is a common and shared problem affecting all Member States and that in most countries children are at a greater risk of poverty and social exclusion than adults.

However, there are also significant differences in the extent and intensity of the problem both between Member States as well as between different regions and between urban and rural areas within Member States. There are also important variations in the composition of child poverty and social exclusion. Member States where the proportion of children at risk of income poverty is highest also tend to be the countries where the problem is most severe and where urgent action is most needed

It is also clear from the experts’ reports that child poverty and social exclusion have become a more important political priority across Member States in recent years and this is leading to a strengthening of the overall policy framework in many countries, particularly in several countries where child poverty and social exclusion is a significant problem.

This increased focus seems to be prompted predominantly by:

the implications of demographic change, especially ageing populations, declining birth rates and changes in family structures
the impact of the EU Social Protection and Social Inclusion Process and the political priority now being given to the issue of child poverty and social exclusion.

The synthesis report presents an independent overview of the reports on child poverty and social exclusion that the independent experts produced in April 2007.

Document Actions

Tackling child poverty and promoting the social inclusion of children in the EU

Related documents