Economic inequalities are engendered by a complex process, characterised by several steps and involving the interaction of several factors. The best indicator of individual economic well-being is disposable equivalised income. Evidence shows that welfare states retain a crucial function in...

Despite its political signifi cance the size of the European Union’s budget is rather modest: the expenditures make up less than one per cent of the EU’s Gross National Income. This article aims to examine the long-term problems linked to the budget. Critical analysis of characteristic...

Thanks to recent reforms, projections suggest that public pension expenditure as a share of GDP might be no higher in 2060 than in 2013 for the EU. However, the adequacy of pensions is also important; if reforms leave an increasing number of older citizens without adequate incomes, they will...

Ensuring active ageing, i.e. the optimisation of opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age, is an important growth strategy for the EU. Achieving a successful active ageing policy will require a sea change in thinking about what ageing...

The European Structural and Investment Funds make up more than 40% of the EU budget and are thereby the EU’s most important financial support to growth, employment, investment and structural change. The funds are programmed for (overlapping) seven-year periods, and all programmes for the new...