European commission launches social strategy to combat poverty by 2050

The European Commission has announced a new social package aimed at eradicating poverty by 2050, with interim targets set for 2030. Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu emphasized the need for immediate action to address housing insecurity and strengthen the European Child Guarantee. The strategy focuses on national recommendations, including quality job creation, improved access to essential services, and adequate income support, rather than providing direct central EU funding. Eurostat data released recently indicates that 20.9% of the EU population, approximately 92.7 to 93 million people, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Vulnerability is notably higher among households with children, with one in four children in the EU facing these risks. In Cyprus, 17.1% of the population, or 167,000 individuals, are affected. The initiative arrives amidst public protests over the rising cost of living and geopolitical pressures that continue to strain European households.