Child poverty in figures
Around 19.5 million children in the European Union were exposed last year to the risk of poverty and social exclusion.
Daniela Budu, 13.06.2025, 13:50
Around 19.5 million children in the European Union were exposed last year to the risk of poverty and social exclusion, according to the latest data published by the European statistical office, Eurostat, which accounts for a quarter of European children. In Romania, the percentage is even higher than the European average, but the data show that things have improved in recent years.
Eurostat figures for last year show that 33.8% of Romanian children under the age of 18 are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This is third highest level in the European Union, after Bulgaria and Spain. The lowest such figures were reported in Slovenia, Cyprus and Czechia. Figures have dropped, however at European level, from one year to the next, and a drop of 0.6% was recorded compared with 2023. Romania saw the highest drop, of 5.2% within a year, followed by Ireland and Hungary. On the other hand, the number of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion grew in states like Finland, Croatia, Bulgaria and Belgium.
Eurostat also shows that 5.8% of young people aged between 15 and 29 in the European Union live in severe material and social deprivation. According to the data measuring absolute poverty, the most serious situation is recorded in Bulgaria, Romania and Greece. Some 17% of young people in Bulgaria and more than 14% of young people in Romania and Greece are faced with grave financial and social difficulties. The figures also note that this level is below 3% in ten EU member states.
On the other hand, the latest report of the Organisation for Cooperation and Development shows that the school enrolment rate in Romania is below this Organisation’s average. Education minister Daniel David warned that the lowest level is recorded in respect of early and high school education. The assessment comes two years after the adoption of new education laws and more than a decade of attempts to reform the education system. The report also highlights that the Romanian education system is still unfair, underfinanced and ineffective, and the gaps separating it from the OECD average are wide and persistent. Romania is in the process of adhering to this organisation known for its tough standards and comparative assessment of public policies. According to the OECD, the poor foundations of education contribute to a high rate of school drop-out rates, with 1 in 4 Romanian pupils dropping out of school before finishing high school.
The OECD recommends that Romania focuses on expanding quality education and learning opportunities in the rural communities through careful planning of the school and early learning network. It also recommends support for vulnerable pupils through measures that take into account existing barriers, including of a financial and administrative nature or which have to do with the access to information.
