Fighting poverty and social exclusion - including through minimum income schemes

The aim of this study is to analyse the situation in the EU as regards poverty and social exclusion and to explore the solutions currently debated for mitigating the risk of existing and increasing poverty and social exclusion, in particular through adequate standards of minimum income. The study addresses these issues in two main sections. Firstly, it analyses the issue of poverty and social exclusion from a theoretical perspective – assessing the relevant concepts – and an empirical perspective – discussing the limitations of different indicators and data with reference to EU countries. Secondly, it focuses on national and EU-level policies dealing with poverty and social exclusion, in particular, on minimum income schemes, presenting 6 country case studies and evaluating the feasibility of an EU minimum income framework.