More than 93 million people in the EU, 21% of the population, are now at risk of poverty, according to the bloc’s statistical agency, Eurostat.
In light of this, anti-war campaigners say it’s unjustifiable that the 27-nation EU has spent 135 billion euro on Ukraine since 2022.
The European Commission’s own data shows that millions who actually have jobs are also struggling to survive.
Eight percent of workers in the European Union, in spite of the fact that they work, that they have a salary, that they earn a wage, they are still experiencing poverty; many times these are women. Half of the population in the European Union lacks basic digital skills.
Roxana Minzatu, EU Social Rights Commissioner
The Commission’s figures also show that one in three teenagers in the EU is unable to perform basic mathematics. Participation in adult retraining programs remains low, and even among those who do upskill are often poorer.
Meanwhile, 80% of small- and medium-sized businesses report finding it impossible to hire workers with the skills they need.
With innovation and competitiveness now at serious risk, many EU citizens are beginning to question the priorities of the bloc’s leaders.
Palestine has become a very important issue for young people, and I think it sort of represents, I know you asked me about the economy, but it sort of represents that there’s just a bit of a disconnect, I think, between maybe the older generations within the European Union and the young ones about what we think is important.
Member of Public 01
We should end wars. We should end poverty, share all the wealthiness of … the world.
Member of Public 02
The European Central Bank has cut Eurozone interest rates by a further quarter of a percentage point. The move came with a stark warning from its president.
A further escalation in global trade tensions and associated uncertainties could lower euro area growth by dampening exports and dragging down investment and consumption.
Christine Lagarde, European Central Bank President
The European Trade Union Confederation insists the ECB rate cut does not go far enough to help the EU escape an economic slump.
The latest figures show that food prices in the Eurozone rose by 3.3% in May, while wages continue to lag behind inflation.
Trade unions have slammed what they call the ECB wait-and-see approach as reckless.
