INS: 5.2 million Romanians at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024

The National Institute of Statistics (INS) has published alarming data regarding the economic situation of Romania's population: over 5.2 million people were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024, representing approximately 18.4% of the total resident population.

These figures reflect a harsh reality faced by millions of families in Romania, including a significant number of pensioners and elderly people. Older people, particularly those living alone or in rural areas, are often among those most exposed to the risk of relative poverty, owing to low pensions and the high costs of medical care.

The poverty threshold is calculated on the basis of the population's median income, and households falling below 60% of this threshold are considered to be at risk of relative poverty. For many Romanian seniors, pension income is insufficient to cover basic expenses, let alone the additional costs associated with medication, medical treatment, or specialist care.

Social exclusion, a concept closely linked to poverty, concerns not only a lack of financial resources but also limited access to medical, social, and care services. Elderly people living in isolated areas or without close family are particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon, often lacking the support necessary for a dignified old age.

The INS data comes amid wide-ranging debate about the sustainability of the pension system and the need to expand social care services for older people. Organisations working in the field of senior care consistently highlight that the number of elderly people in difficulty exceeds the current capacity of both the public and private support networks in Romania.

These statistics underline the importance of strengthening social policies dedicated to older people, increasing the value of minimum pensions, and investing in financially accessible home care services, so that elderly people are not forced to choose between medication and food.