European Commission: Income inequality up in Romania, poverty and social exclusion at high level

Newsroom 23/02/2017 | 11:33

Romania has one of the highest income inequality from the European Union and this year it’s growing, while poverty and social exclusion are at high levels, according to a report of the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU.

„Poverty and social exclusion remain at high level. Although it’s falling, the poverty risk and social exclusion are persisting among young people NEETs (“Not in Education, Employment or Training”) families with children and persons with disabilities. Compared with the urban area, twice more people from rural area live in outskirts communities and are facing social problems, living and unemployment. The share of the persons who live in low quality houses and who consume more than 40 percent from income on it is one of the highest one from EU,” says the document.

According to the report, the poverty among workers is twice higher compared with EU average and this is due to the high share of unpaid families from rural areas.

„Poverty and social exclusion is higher especially among roma people. The risk of poverty and social exclusion among roma people is three time higher than for the rest of population. It’s much higher compared with other member states that have a significant roma minority. Roma are focused on outskirts communities and two thirds of them live in places that don’t have the minimum sanitary facilities,” says the source.

Georgiana Bendre