These figures show that, despite all the statements on eliminating poverty, social inequalities have worsened and around 85 million people are at risk of poverty in the European Union (at the end of 2008, 17% of the 500 million inhabitants of the European Union were living below the poverty threshold, even after social transfers), whereas in 2005 this percentage was 16% and in 2000 it was 15% in the EU-15.
Uit die tabel kan worden afgeleid dat de sociale ongelijkheid, ondanks alle verklaringen over de afname van de armoede, is verergerd en ongeveer 85 miljoen mensen in de Europese Unie met armoede worden bedreigd (17% van de circa 500 miljoen inwoners van de Europese Unie leefde eind 2008 onder de armoedegrens, zelfs na de sociale overdrachten), in 2005 bedroeg dit percentage 16% en in 2000 15% in de EU15.