More shadows than lights

Europe is suffering the impact of the difficult economic situation, with differences between Member States. Improvements are expected to take place however, notably at individual level, while societies register increasing concern in the areas of employment, public services, the cost of living, and pensions… The EU Social Situation Report, presented by the EU Commission on February 2 with data released by a Eurobarometer survey, conveys more shadows than lights. It is a clear sign to politicians, who are expected to implement concrete measures to this regard. Differing paces in Europe. The figures presented by the Commission and those of the Survey bureau show that Europeans are on average broadly satisfied with their personal situation compared to the general trend, while there are big differences between Member States. The highest levels of satisfaction have been recorded in Northern Europe while the lowest levels were recorded in Central and Eastern Europe and in the three EU membership candidate States Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia. The Eurobarometer report states, “a majority of Europeans are satisfied with their life in general”. “But there are big differences between Member States: the highest level of satisfaction was reported in Denmark, with Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland also having high levels. The lowest levels of satisfaction were reported in Bulgaria followed by Hungary, Greece and Romania”. However the figures released by Eurobarometer show that citizens are less satisfied when it comes to the economy, public services and social policies in their country. Home, dear home… The data released by the Executive show that Europeans spend more of their income on housing costs, while rents and bank loans taken to purchase property are increasing. “On average – states the Report – Europeans spend one-fifth of their disposable income on accommodation. Rent and mortgage payments only make up 30% of total housing costs in the EU while the other 70% pays for repairs, maintenance and fuel”. Remarkably, “Most people living in countries from the central and eastern EU Member States own their own homes”, but in these cases, charges for mortgage instalments and property maintenance are very high. The Report highlights significant differences between Member States, despite common problems. In fact, as relates to quality of housing “many Europeans report living in sub-standard accommodation” and “more people on low incomes report housing problems”.Unemployment and social expenses. In time of crisis employment problems set the pace of social conditions. Indeed, most EU citizens expect things to get worse. Highest levels of concern were registered in Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece, Romania, Italy, Latvia, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Slovakia and Poland. While in other Countries, where the job market is least affected by the crisis, citizens are more confident about the future. It is the case of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Belgium. “It is still too early to assess the full social impact of the crisis”, which, states the Report, will be registered in the coming months. Moreover, European citizens can count on “social expenditure, which has played a role in protecting those affected during recessions”. But “the likelihood that an unemployed person will receive income support varies across the EU”.Health, pensions, and social benefits. As relates to services, “most Europeans are dissatisfied with the way their public administrations are run. In all countries, except for Luxembourg and Estonia, citizens feel that the situation has worsened over the last five years, and that it is likely to worsen further in the next year”. Respondents were asked to value five key-indicators of the social situation: healthcare, welfare, unemployment benefits, relations between people with different cultural and religious backgrounds, measures for combating poverty and inequalities. Europeans rated the provisions of public health more positively in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg, while the lowest figures were recorded in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. However, “Europeans were particularly dissatisfied with the way inequalities and poverty are addressed in their country”. High levels of concern were equally recorded in the other indicators proposed.