The recent enlargement of the European Union has changed the context within which poverty and social exclusion in the Member States is understood and has highlighted the need for an expanded approach to these problems. Enlargement has widened the gap in living standards between the richest and...

This report examines social exclusion through illness, specifically the processes whereby people who develop chronic illnesses are excluded from the workforce. It proposes a new model for understanding the nature of this problem, it develops an assessment tool for new initiatives in the area and...

Examining quality of life in 28 European countries, including the acceding and candidate countries as well as the current Member States of the EU, this report focuses on the topic of low income and standard of living deprivation and provides an analysis of views and experiences of the citizens...

In recent years, the European demographic situation has been characterised by a growing proportion of older people and a shrinking proportion of younger people – a trend that is set to continue for at least the next two decades. These developments pose challenges for both public policy and the...

The number of people on long-term disability benefits in Europe is rising and this group is particularly at risk of social exclusion. Although many of those away from work for a long period due to illness or injury would like to rejoin the workforce, very few actually do so in practice. This...

While restructuring is increasingly acknowledged as an inherent characteristic of economic development and receives substantial policy attention at European and Member State level, the regional perspective on it is rarely discussed. However, most large-scale restructurings affect the regions and...