The Porto Social Summit 2021 reinforced the commitment to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights. Policymakers, social partners and civil society representatives came together in Porto to discuss a more inclusive and social Europe and signed up to the three 2030 targets:
- Employment: at least 78% of the population aged 20 to 64 should be in employment.
- Training: at least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year.
- Reducing poverty: a reduction of at least 15 million in the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
Employment rates are increasing, with an EU employment rate of 75.8% in 2024 (and a minimum of 67.1%) and employment rates for people with low levels of qualification showing progress since 2015. However, as recognised by the Vice-President and Commissioner for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness in her speech at the Porto Social Forum 2025, the other targets are far from being achieved.
Less than 40% of adults participated in training in the last 12 months, and 21% of the population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion (94.6 million people). Progress is slow, as in 2020, this number was 96.5 million people (21.9% of the population). Recent data also show that 6.8% of the population (more than 27 million people) are severely materially and socially deprived, and 8.5% can’t afford a meal containing meat, fish or a vegetarian equivalent every second day.
Adult learning and poverty reduction
Whilst progress has been made, the challenges remain urgent. Participation of adults in learning is low, with striking differences between countries. Participation is even less when referring to adults who have low qualifications, not reaching the 19% of adults participating. Socio-economic background remains a strong predictor of education outcomes.
UNESCO research shows that world poverty would be reduced if all adults completed secondary school. If basic reading skills improved in low-income countries, almost 171 million people could escape extreme poverty (data from 2017). At the EU level, research (2015) reveals that individuals with primary education remain the most vulnerable in all EU countries (with a risk of poverty of up to 56% in Romania). For individuals who work, the level of education plays a role in income, and improved income can be the result of continuing learning and training opportunities.
While higher education levels can support employability and wealth creation and therefore contribute to reducing poverty, the multi-dimensional nature of poverty can’t be ignored. Poverty is not solely connected to income and individual wealth.
Adult learning should be part of any strategy to reduce poverty, always in interaction with other policies. Adult learning has potential benefits for health and financial literacy, promotes participation and citizenship skills and empowers individuals to self-reflect and become more confident. It often opens new career perspectives or provides other options to choose from. The digital divide has also added new urgency to adult education to support the development of basic digital skills (necessary for an estimated 90% of the jobs and to a meaningful participation in society, from accessing basic services to checking the news). At the community level, it can support building more resilient communities, bringing individuals with different expertise and backgrounds together. Adult learning needs to address barriers adults face, especially adults from marginalised communities, those who experience poverty or are at-risk of poverty, through flexible methods, financial support mechanisms and integration with other community services.
A call to action: shaping the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy
Building on the Porto commitments, the European Commission has opened a public consultation for the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, running until 24 October 2025. This initiative aims to tackle the root causes of poverty. Stakeholders from across sectors, including education, have an opportunity to contribute their expertise and reflect on how adult learning can be a pathway out of poverty.
The public consultation is open until 24 October.
Read more about what has been done by civil society by visiting the European Anti-Poverty Network official website.
Learn more:
- Eurostat: Living conditions in Europe – poverty and social exclusion
- Eurostat: Living conditions in Europe – material deprivation and economic strain
- Eurostat: Employment – annual statistics
- Eurostat news: Almost 9% in the EU could not afford a proper meal
- Education and Training Monitor 2024
- The Impact of Education and Culture on Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Panel Data of European Countries (2023)
- EPALE: Adult education and poverty: possibilities and limitations (2024)
- EAEA: The Role of Adult Education in Reducing Poverty (2015)
At-risk of poverty or social exclusion includes those at risk of poverty, severe material and social deprivation, and/or living in a household with very low work intensity.
Text: Maria Gonçalves Ribeiro