Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Identity and Culture
- 3 Demographics
- 4 Education
- 5 Employment
- 6 Industry and Occupation
- 7 Health
- 8 Politics
- 9 Economics
- 10 Environment
- 11 Social Cohesion
- 12 Policy
- 13 Conclusion
- References
- Appendix: Sources of Data
11 - Social Cohesion
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 April 2023
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Identity and Culture
- 3 Demographics
- 4 Education
- 5 Employment
- 6 Industry and Occupation
- 7 Health
- 8 Politics
- 9 Economics
- 10 Environment
- 11 Social Cohesion
- 12 Policy
- 13 Conclusion
- References
- Appendix: Sources of Data
Summary
Today, as the economic crisis has planted its roots, millions of Europeans live with insecurity, uncertain about what the future holds. This is one of the worst psychological states of mind for human beings and we now see a quiet desperation spreading among Europeans, resulting in depression, resignation and loss of hope for their future.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2013, p 2
This map shows the spatial distribution of the number of individuals living in relative poverty, defined as having an income below the official poverty line of the country they live in. According to the latest data from the World Bank and Eurostat, the total number of people living in poverty for all countries is 109,387,770. This is approximately 18% of the total population in Europe, as defined in this atlas. The highest absolute number is observed in Turkey, followed by Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. However, in relative terms the largest proportion of the total population living in poverty is observed in Kosovo (29.7%), followed by Turkey (26.0%), Bulgaria (22.3%), Romania (22.2%) and Spain (21.8%). The smallest percentages are observed in Iceland (9.2%), Serbia (9.2%), Montenegro (9.3%), the Czech Republic (9.8%) and Norway (10.5%).
Five years ago it would have been unimaginable; so many millions of Europeans lining up for food in soup kitchens, receiving food parcels at home or being referred to social groceries ... Former middle class citizens living in trailers, tents, railway stations or in shelters for the homeless, hesitating to go to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and other organizations to ask for help.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2013, p 9
According to the latest data from the World Bank there are an estimated 4 million people in Europe living on the equivalent of less than US$2 a day at 2005 international prices, when prices are made comparable using established purchasing power parity (PPP) ratios. This is a measure that makes it possible to compare prices in different countries – for example to compare the cost of a meal that might cost $2 in the United States with the cost of a similar meal in another country.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Social Atlas of Europe , pp. 159 - 180Publisher: Bristol University PressPrint publication year: 2014