Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
European figures indicate that 8.5% of the European Union's population in 2024 could not afford a meal containing meat, fish, or its equivalent plant-based foods every other day, a decrease of one percentage point compared to 2023 (9.5%).
The percentage was significantly higher among people at risk of poverty, at 19.4%, compared to those not at risk of poverty (6.4%). According to figures released in Brussels by Eurostat, the European Statistical Office,
At the national level, the highest percentage of people at risk of poverty who were unable to afford a decent meal was recorded in Slovakia (39.8%), followed by Bulgaria (37.7%) and Hungary (37.3%). The lowest percentages were recorded in Cyprus (3.5%), Ireland, and Portugal (both 5.1%). The ability to afford a meal containing meat, fish, or its equivalent plant-based food every two days is one of the factors observed at the household level to calculate the rate of severe material and social deprivation. This is a component of the indicator of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This indicator is used to monitor the main objective on poverty and social inclusion in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan.