Caritas Europa called upon EU nations to address “deep flaws in national minimum income schemes” and “rethink how income support can serve as a true foundation for social inclusion.”
Newsroom (05/06/2025 11:10 , Gaudium Press) Millions across Europe are trapped in financial precarity as existing minimum income schemes fail to cover basic living costs, according to a new report by Caritas Europa. Titled “Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Shaping Effective Minimum Income Systems in Europe”, the study reveals systemic shortcomings in national welfare programs and calls for urgent reforms to ensure dignity, inclusion, and real poverty relief.
A System in Crisis
Drawing on data from 20 Caritas organizations, the report finds that 90% of countries provide benefits below subsistence levels—only five meet even 75% of the national poverty threshold. For beneficiaries like Nargis Haque in Spain, who survives on €998 a month with her daughter, the consequences are stark: “There’s no money for internet, school supplies, or leisure. With €1,500, we could live, not just scrape by.”
Exclusion by Design
Arbitrary eligibility rules shut out vulnerable groups including:
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Young adults (18–25) face stricter conditions.
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Migrants, the homeless, and those with irregular residency are often disqualified.
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Bureaucracy, stigma, and digital barriers deter applications, leading to alarmingly low uptake.
“Minimum income should let people live with dignity and participate in society,” emphasizes Maria Nyman, Secretary General of Caritas Europa. “This is a call to action for EU and national leaders.”
From Survival to Empowerment
The report urges policymakers to rethink income support as a tool for social inclusion, linking it to housing, healthcare, education, and employment. Examples from the field show Caritas bridging gaps:
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Slovakia: 300+ social services aid children, refugees, and trafficking survivors.
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Cyprus/Norway: Personalized help to navigate complex benefit systems.
Key Demands for Reform
Caritas Europa’s roadmap for change includes:
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Adequacy: Benefits must cover at least 75% of the poverty threshold.
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Inclusivity: Simplify rules to protect youth, migrants, and the unhoused.
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Accessibility: Reduce stigma, streamline bureaucracy, and offer offline/digital support.
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EU-Wide Standards: Binding minimum income frameworks tied to the European Pillar of Social Rights.
A Pivotal Moment
With the European Commission drafting its first EU anti-poverty strategy, the report provides critical evidence to shape policies that uphold social rights. “No one should be left behind,” asserts Caritas—a plea for systems that lift people up, rather than leave them struggling.
- Raju Hasmuk with files from Caritas Europa
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