Proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe

Europe: Proportion of population below international poverty line was 0.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
0.4%
Change on year
unchanged
Rank
30th
of 35 groups
All-time high
4.5%
in 1999
All-time low
0.3%
in 2008
Years of data
37
1988–2024

Proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe, 1988–2024

0123451988200620241988: 1.21989: 1.21990: 1.31991: 1.61992: 2.21993: 2.61994: 3.71995: 3.41996: 3.61997: 2.81998: 31999: 4.52000: 32001: 2.22002: 1.72003: 1.32004: 1.12005: 0.92006: 0.72007: 0.42008: 0.32009: 0.42010: 0.42011: 0.42012: 0.52013: 0.42014: 0.72015: 0.72016: 0.52017: 0.62018: 0.42019: 0.32020: 0.32021: 0.42022: 0.42023: 0.42024: 0.4

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe is 0.4%, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of down 42.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe peaked at 4.5% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 2008.

Europe ranks 30th of 35 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population below international poverty line (%) in Europe, 1988 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1988 1.2%
1989 1.2% +0.0%
1990 1.3% +8.3%
1991 1.6% +23.1%
1992 2.2% +37.5%
1993 2.6% +18.2%
1994 3.7% +42.3%
1995 3.4% -8.1%
1996 3.6% +5.9%
1997 2.8% -22.2%
1998 3.0% +7.1%
1999 4.5% +50.0%
2000 3.0% -33.3%
2001 2.2% -26.7%
2002 1.7% -22.7%
2003 1.3% -23.5%
2004 1.1% -15.4%
2005 0.9% -18.2%
2006 0.7% -22.2%
2007 0.4% -42.9%
2008 0.3% -25.0%
2009 0.4% +33.3%
2010 0.4% +0.0%
2011 0.4% +0.0%
2012 0.5% +25.0%
2013 0.4% -20.0%
2014 0.7% +75.0%
2015 0.7% +0.0%
2016 0.5% -28.6%
2017 0.6% +20.0%
2018 0.4% -33.3%
2019 0.3% -25.0%
2020 0.3% +0.0%
2021 0.4% +33.3%
2022 0.4% +0.0%
2023 0.4% +0.0%
2024 0.4% +0.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 2
1990s 2.9% 1.3% 4.5% 10
2000s 1.2% 0.3% 3.0% 10
2010s 0.5% 0.3% 0.7% 10
2020s 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 5

Countries ranked near Europe

  1. 27 Guatemala 9.7% compare
  2. 28 Colombia 8.5% compare
  3. 29 Nicaragua 6.6% compare
  4. 30 Tajikistan 6.1% compare
  5. 31 Bangladesh 5.9% compare
  6. 32 India 5.3% compare
  7. 32 Philippines 5.3% compare

See the full ranking of 164 places →

More poverty & inequality data for Europe

All data for Europe →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe?
Proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe was 0.4% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest proportion of population below international poverty line recorded in Europe?
The highest recorded value was 4.5% in 1999.
What is the lowest proportion of population below international poverty line recorded in Europe?
The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 2008.
How does Europe rank for proportion of population below international poverty line?
Europe ranks 30th out of 35 groups with data for 2024.
Is proportion of population below international poverty line rising or falling in Europe?
Over the last ten years it is down 42.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Europe data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of population below international poverty line (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of population below international poverty line in Europe. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-below-international-poverty-line-percent/europe/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population below international poverty line (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
164 places, 3,780 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed