Romania has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the EU, which is still growing, according to the 2017 country report on Romania released yesterday by the European Commission.

“Poverty and social exclusion remain at a high level. Although decreasing, the risk of poverty and social exclusion persists among young NEEts (Not in Education, Employment or Training), families with children and people with disabilities,” reads the report.

Compared to urban areas, twice as many people in rural areas live in marginalized communities and face social and housing problems, and unemployment. The share of persons living in poor quality dwellings and spending more than 40% of their income on it is one of the highest in the EU, reads the document.

Poverty among working people is also two times higher than the EU average, and this is due to the large share of unpaid rural families.

“Poverty and social exclusion is high especially among the Roma population. The risk of poverty and social exclusion of the Roma population is three times higher than the rest of the population. It is much higher compared to other Member States which have significant Roma minorities.”

The Roma population is concentrated in marginalized communities and about two thirds of them live in homes that have minimal sanitary facilities, the reports shows.

editor@romania-insider.com