Cyprus has achieved its national target for reducing child poverty well ahead of schedule, according to Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Marilena Evangelou.
Speaking at the annual conference of the National Network Against Poverty (EDAF)-Cyprus, she stated that despite the progress, approximately 29,000 children were still at risk of poverty and social exclusion in 2023.
Evangelou highlighted the progress made, as shown in the first biennial report on the implementation of the National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee, published in March 2024.
The report indicates a steady decline in the revised child poverty or social exclusion risk indicator for those under 18, with Cyprus reaching its national target much earlier than anticipated.
Specifically, the target was to reduce the number of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion from 35,000 in 2019 to 32,000 by 2030. However, the number fell to 31,000 by 2022 and further to 29,000 in 2023.
The Deputy Minister also referred to a recent Eurostat announcement which showed that Cyprus had the second-best performance in Europe for “Severe Material and Social Deprivation” in 2023.
She pointed out that the Ministry of Social Welfare coordinates the implementation of the 2022-2030 National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee, which includes 93 actions across six pillars aimed at preventing and combating child poverty and social exclusion.
The Deputy Minister highlighted targeted reforms in social protection, such as increasing child benefits, extending allowances to students from large families, and raising the allowance for mothers of large families.
She also mentioned the expansion of the Tuition and Meals Subsidy Scheme to cover all child benefit recipients and extending the age limit for eligible children.
The primary tool for addressing poverty in Cyprus remains the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI), which provides a social safety net based on a minimum living basket.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, efforts are underway to streamline social benefits.
Evangelou also referenced the National Strategy and Action Plan for Pre-Primary Education and Care, the creation of Multipurpose Centers for Children, and providing social care services to vulnerable populations.
She emphasised that tackling child poverty and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty requires comprehensive, long-term strategies combining prevention, income support, and accessible, high-quality services.
Investing in children is essential, as it yields significant benefits across all levels of society.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Despo Michaelidou, acknowledged the progress but noted that more needs to be done.
She highlighted the lack of child-specific funding in welfare policies and the exclusion of children with mild or moderate disabilities from GMI eligibility.
Michaelidou also recommended that no child should be excluded from benefits due to residency status and warned against using statistics to depict children’s issues, as it could fuel xenophobia and social exclusion.
EDAF-Cyprus board member Loukas Antoniou provided a keynote address, citing UNICEF data that 50% of children worldwide live on less than $2.50 a day and that 333 million children are in absolute poverty, with 1 billion experiencing multidimensional poverty.
Antoniou concluded that appropriate and adequate policies can significantly reduce child poverty rates.
Children from marginalised ethnic groups, large families, and conflict-ridden areas face a greater risk of poverty, according to Antoniou.
He noted that refugee and displaced children, those living outside households in institutions or shelters, migrant children, and those with special needs are particularly vulnerable.
Antoniou explained that children with disabilities face additional challenges due to increased living costs and lost income opportunities resulting from extra care responsibilities.
He further pointed out that poverty heightens the vulnerability of girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
He called for strong political will to ensure child well-being, equitable wealth distribution, and comprehensive policies addressing children’s needs.
The conference featured an interactive session led by the Youth Advisory Group of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, where participants discussed the impacts of child poverty and proposed improvements in healthcare, nutrition, education, and community safety.
The President of EDAF-Cyprus, Eleni Karaoli, stressed that child poverty remains one of the most serious problems facing society and called for holistic discussions and solutions favourable to children.
Finally, the President of Frederick University Council, Natassa Frederickou, underscored the lasting effects of deprivation, particularly as children transition to adulthood. She stated that Frederick University supports students in financial difficulty, recognising the importance of education for their future.
(information from CNA)
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