2022
After two years of the pandemic, there is an increase in the at-risk-of-poverty rate at the national level. A clear sign that the pandemic has worsened the social and economic situation of the Portuguese. Added to this scenario is a political crisis that led to new legislative elections in January and a war in Europe that began in February that led to a massive displacement of refugees. To the difficulties already experienced, others have been added, such as the increase in food, fuel and energy prices. Poverty Watch 2022 aims to report on these new challenges facing the country and its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.
Response mechanisms are presented to challenges, such as the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) with an allocation of 13.9 billion euros in grants and 2.7 billion euros in loans and the next financial framework with an allocation of 23.8 billion euros. Instruments that are intended to support the achievement of political agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Pillar of Social Rights that are central to strengthening the social cohesion of Member States.
2021
Poverty figures in Portugal indicated a decreasing evolution in the last years, mainly after the last financial crisis. According to the latest data from INE1, the At Risk of Poverty and Social Exclusion Rate (AROPE) was 19.8% in 2020 (it was 21.6% in 2019). Around 2.037 thousand people were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Women continue to be more vulnerable to the risk of poverty and social exclusion (20.2%) compared to men (19.4%). Among women, it is the older women who have a higher rate compared to other age groups (22.2% in 2020).
Poverty Watch Main Findings
Most Affected Groups
Women (particularly older women)
Autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores
Households with dependent children
Children
Elderly people
Working poor
Unemployed people
People with chronic illnesses
Main Priorities
- Setting ambitious national targets that enable the fulfilment of the European targets of the Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
- Ensure that the several principles of the Pillar work as instruments to fight poverty as a multidimensional problem that requires a multidisciplinary answer.
- Ensure an effective monitoring of funding and that this monitoring is participated by civil society entities and citizens themselves, based on concrete and transparent indicators.
- The National Anti-Poverty and Social Exclusion Strategy must be integrated and act on the causes of poverty.
- Promote an effective debate around the policies of social minima – minimum wage and social benefits – with a view to reformulating them in terms of coverage, accessibility, adequacy and promotion of participation.
- Promote quality public services, free and accessible to all.
- The digitalisation of services should contribute to promoting articulation between services, thus reducing bureaucracy, promoting information sharing, reducing the gaps in access to services that cause delays in solving problems for citizens and, sometimes, the repeated submission of the same documents in different services.
- The fight against poverty also involves ensuring access to digital services, which currently are a burden for the most vulnerable citizens.
- Ensure a Governance strategy that enables the participation of all actors, namely of citizens living in situations of greater vulnerability, in building a more resilient society and economy.
- It is necessary to promote information campaigns on what poverty is and ways to fight it.
2020
In 2018, the risk of poverty or social exclusion continued to reach 21.6% of the population in Portugal. In regional terms, the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira continue to be the regions of Portugal with the highest levels of vulnerability in the different indicators of poverty or social exclusion. In mainland Portugal, the risk of poverty or social exclusion is higher in the North Region and in the Algarve and lower in the Lisbon Area.
Poverty Watch Main Findings
Most affected groups
Households with dependent children
Single parents
Elderly living alone
Working poor
The unemployed and inactive people
Main priorities
- Promote the definition and consolidation of a National Strategy for the Eradication of Poverty and Social Exclusion.
- Define a national action plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights that is a reference for the National Strategy for the Eradication of Poverty and Social Exclusion.
- Ensure the strengthening of social protection and create the necessary foundations for the definition of an adequate minimum income system.
- Promote an inclusive labour market and access to quality public services.
- Ensure effective use of the Next Framework Funds to take into account the consequences and impacts of the crisis.
- Promote the effective participation of different stakeholders – national and local public entities such as Local Authorities, civil society entities and people experiencing poverty themselves.
Contact details
Rede Europeia Anti-Pobreza/Portugal
4200-218 Porto (Portugal)
Tel: +351 22 542 08 00
Fax: +351 22 540 3250
E-mail: geral (@) eapn.pt
Website: www.eapn.pt
