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European Commission alerts of high and rising risk of poverty and significant gaps in social outcomes among Roma people in Spain [editar]

28/02/2019
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<br>European Commission alerts of high and rising risk of poverty and significant gaps in social outcomes among Roma people in Spain

European Commission alerts of high and rising risk of poverty and significant gaps in social outcomes among Roma people in Spain and identifies as priority investment areas for the programming of the Cohesion Policy Funds (ERDF and ESF+), the promotion of the social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, such as the Roma, and the fight against discrimination, especially in access to education, labour market and social services.


 

The European Commission published yesterday the Country Reports  assessing EU Member states' progress on economic and social priorities as part of the annual cycle of economic policy coordination at EU level, the European Semester.

On its report on Spain, the European Commission alerts of the high levels of inequality and poverty and the limited progress made in the social policy area in spite of the strong economic growth recorded by Spain.

The Commission stresses that children in Spain face one of the highest rates of risk-of poverty or social exclusion in the EU and points out that social spending for families with children is poorly targeted and remains among the lowest in the EU, resulting in very low effectiveness. The Commission also identifies the high early-school leaving as a major challenge for Spain and notes that spending on education remains low and efforts to agree on long-lasting reforms stalled against a background of low educational performance, affordable housing is a challenge for tenants.

With regards to Roma, the report highlights that the social integration of the Roma lags behind. Spain has one of the largest Roma community in the EU (750 000 people, or 1.6% of the population). While overall they tend to have better education and health outcomes than other Roma communities in the EU, they face a very high and rising risk of poverty and significant gaps in social outcomes vis à vis the rest of the population in Spain (Roma Integration Indicators Scoreboard, 2011-2016).

Investment needs

The Commission establishes increased investment in education and training, employment services and social inclusion policies is important for improving Spain’s productivity and long-term inclusive growth.

Investment guidance on cohesion policy funding

The European Commission identifies as priority investment areas for the programming of the Cohesion Policy Funds (ERDF and ESF+), the promotion of the social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, such as the Roma, and enhance equal and timely access to quality services and social protection the fight against discrimination, especially in access to education, labour market and social services.

Download full Country Report on Spain.

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