The European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), proclaimed in 2017, aimed to build a stronger Social Europe and reduce poverty. Its 2021 Action Plan set a target to lift at least 15 million people, including 5 million children, out of poverty by 2030.
However, progress has been limited. In 2024, 93.3 million people in the EU (21% of the population) remained at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Although some important measures were adopted, poverty has worsened due to crises such as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, inflation and climate change.
The report argues that renewed political ambition is needed. The updated EPSR Action Plan and the forthcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy must shift from simply reducing poverty to fully eradicating it by 2050.