The number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU hit 94.6 million in 2023, the region’s statistical bureau Eurostat said Wednesday. 

The figure is 21% of the EU population, meaning that more than one in five people is at risk, according to the data, Anadolu reported. 

The highest risk was in Romania with 32%, followed by Bulgaria at 30%, Spain at 27%, and Greece at 26%.

The lowest was in Czechia at 12%, followed by Slovenia with 14% and Finland, and Poland came in at 16%.

The risk was higher for women, young adults, those with low education and unemployed individuals.

Data showed that women in the EU experienced a higher risk of poverty or social exclusion at 22.4%, compared to men at 20.3%.

While the employed faced an 11.3% risk of poverty or social exclusion, the unemployed faced a significantly higher risk at 66.3%.

The last year’s figure was 95.3 million, making up 21% of the EU’s population.

The assessment of the risk of poverty or social exclusion involves factors such as income levels, material and social deprivation, and work intensity.