In 2024, 93.3 million people in the EU (21% of the population) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including 20 million children. Despite the European Union's commitment under the European Pillar of Social Rights to reduce these numbers by at least 15 million by 2030, progress has been limited. In response, the European Commission announced its first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, expected to be launched in summer 2026. to tackle the root causes of poverty and to provide essential protections, and promote social inclusion.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) drafted an own-initiative report aiming to influence development of the Strategy. This report was adopted in the plenary session of the European Parliament on February 12, 2026 and reflects civil society’s call for a comprehensive, inclusive, and well funded approach to fight poverty.

This EASPD briefing presents the European Parliament’s report and focusses on key areas of work of EASPD and its members. It shows how the position of the European Parliament aligns with EASPD’s advocacy, reinforcing our calls for inclusive and well funded services that are essential to combating poverty and discrimination.

Read the briefing 

Citation:

EASPD. (2026). Analysis of the European Parliament position on the first-ever Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Authors:

Clara Massé, Junior Policy Officer

Date:

Brussels, February 2026