EU adopts new deprivation indicator after research at Cardiff University

Research conducted at Cardiff University has led to the European Union endorsing a new indicator of material and social deprivation.

The indicator, based on 13 survey questions, will be used to measure EU progress in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

This new indicator of material and social deprivation will replace the official material deprivation indicator which the EU adopted in 2009. It will be used by Member States and the Commission for the monitoring of material deprivation.

As a result of this collaborative research, seven new questions will now be collected and monitored every year in all EU countries, and a number of non-EU countries, leading to a more reliable monitoring of deprivation.

These seven new items include the inability to: replace worn-out clothes with some new ones; replace worn-out furniture; have two pairs of properly fitting shoes; have regular leisure activities; a drink/meal with friends/family once a month; and have an internet connection.

Since the adoption of the new indicator in March 2017, research by Dr Marco Pomati of Cardiff University and colleagues has led to a more detailed understanding of how households in Europe cope with poverty, demonstrating the material and social consequences of lack of resources.

Research that led to the new indicator of material deprivation was led by the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), University of Bristol and Cardiff University.