The poverty level in the EU has increased by 10 million in 5 years to
reach 124 million – one European in four. In addition, “there are now wide inequalities in
the distribution of income in the EU: on average, the top 20% earned 5.1 times
as much income as the bottom 20% in 2012”. Finally, “unemployment has increased sharply
in Europe, from a rate of 7.1% in 2008 to a peak of 10.9% in 2013”
or 26 million people. These are quotes from “Taking stock of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart,
sustainable and inclusive growth”, published by the Europe
Commission last Wednesday (05/03).