Eradicating Poverty by 2050
More than words, a comprehensive EU-wide strategy is needed. Joint statement by the Coalition on the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Brussels, 21 October 2025
ENAR, together with partners in the Coalition on the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, advocates for an ambitious, rights-based approach to tackling poverty in all its dimensions, to shape the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy that recognises the intersectional and structural dimensions of poverty.
On 10 September 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU’s ambition to eradicate poverty by 2050, a historic commitment that could transform millions of lives. But this goal will only be achieved through a comprehensive and inclusive strategy that addresses the structural and systemic roots of poverty and reflects the lived experiences of those most affected.
The upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy marks a turning point in how Europe addresses poverty. Yet we cannot hope to end poverty without first confronting racism, one of its most enduring and overlooked drivers.
Across Europe, racialised communities continue to face systemic barriers to housing, education, employment, and financial services. These inequalities are not accidental but are rooted in structural racism and colonial legacies that still shape Europe’s economy today.
The data reveal the harsh reality for millions of people, particularly those with a racialised background:
- 95 million people in the EU live in poverty.
- 32% of children under 16 in immigrant households face relative poverty, compared with 21% in native-born households.
- People in Muslim households are twice as likely to struggle to make ends meet (18% versus 9%).
- 80% of Roma people remain at risk of poverty, compared with 17% of the general population.
Europe’s racial wealth gap is not only about income; it is also about justice and equality. Eradicating poverty by 2050 requires tackling its root causes, not merely its symptoms.
Read our joint statement to learn how the Coalition is working to ensure that Europe’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy delivers real change for all.
