Poverty definitions and the measurement of poverty differ from one country to another. The outcome of poverty research for policy purposes is closely related to how poverty is defined and measured. The European definition of poverty as well as its measurement is significantly different than elsewhere. Consequently, policy measures introduced to combat poverty are drastically different as well.

A joint report of the European Council and the Council of the European Union defined poverty in the following way:

People are said to be living in poverty if their income and resources are so inadequate as to preclude them from having a standard of living considered acceptable in the society in which they live. Because of their poverty they may experience multiple disadvantages through unemployment, low income, poor ...

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