Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries; which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under the European Green Deal, Economy that works for people, European way of life and European Democracy.
SDG 10 among other things, calls for nations to adapt polices and legislation to increase the income of the bottom 40 % of the population and to reduce inequalities based on income, sex, age, disability, race, class, ethnicity, religion and opportunity.
Indicator can be considered as similar to global SDG indicator 10.1.1 "Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40 percent of the population and the total population".
The indicator is relevant for measuring the overall change in living standards of those with the lowest incomes over a number of years.
The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. These principles address topics related to inequality by tackling both inequality of outcomes and inequality of opportunities: from wage-setting to social-protection systems, gender equality, enabling social services, childcare and support to children, old-age income, healthcare and access to housing.
The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan turns the Principles of European Pillar of Social Rights into concrete actions to benefit citizens. It proposes headline targets regarding employment rate, adult participation in learning and risk of poverty and social exclusion for the EU to reach by 2030.
The European Semester is a key delivery tool of the Pillar and coordinates the economic and fiscal policies of EU Member States. As part of its Green Deal, the European Commission has announced that the European Semester will be refocused to integrate the SDGs and to put sustainability and the well-being of citizens at the centre of economic policy
The European Social Fund (ESF) is the EU’s main instrument for investing in people since the adoption of the Treaty of Rome. It helps tackle inequalities, both in terms of outcomes and opportunities, by financing actions in the areas of employment, social inclusion, education, training and administrative capacity reforms.The revised European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), with a budget of EUR 101 billion as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027, will further help to reduce inequalities
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the income share received by the bottom 40 % of the population. The income concept used is the total disposable household income.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of income
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
Onwards EU-SILC is based on a common framework defined by harmonised lists of primary and secondary variables, common concepts, a recommended design, common requirements (such as imputation procedures, weighting, sampling errors calculation) and classifications aiming at maximising comparability of the information produced. Details can be found in the metadata of the source datasets.
From 2021:Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 foresees the requirements relating to geographical coverage, detailed sample characteristics, including subsampling, in accordance with Annex III, common data gathering periods, common standards for editing and imputation, weighting, estimation and variance estimation.
Before 2021: According to the Regulation (EC) 1982/2003 on sampling and tracing rules, for all components of EU-SILC (whether survey or register based), the cross-sectional and longitudinal (initial sample) data were to be based on a nationally representative probability sample of the population residing in private households within the country, irrespective of language, nationality or legal residence status. The sampling frame and methods of sample selection ensured that every individual and household in the target population was assigned a known and non-zero probability of selection.
Regulation (EC) 1177/2003 defined the minimum effective sample sizes to be achieved, i.e. the actual sample sizes had to be larger to the extent that the design effect exceeds 1.0 and to compensate for all kinds of non-response. Furthermore, the sample size referred to the number of valid households which were households for which, and for all members of which, all or nearly all the required information had been obtained. The allocation of the effective sample size was done according to the size of the country and ensuring minimum precision criteria for the key indicator at national level (absolute precision of the at-risk-of-poverty rate of 1%).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (SILC)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually in November. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Türkiye.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively and Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Türkiye.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU27 aggregate) starts in 2010.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
< 3 data points
6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is shorter than 3 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
The indicator measures the income share received by the bottom 40 % of the population. The income concept used is the total disposable household income.
4 June 2024
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year
Onwards EU-SILC is based on a common framework defined by harmonised lists of primary and secondary variables, common concepts, a recommended design, common requirements (such as imputation procedures, weighting, sampling errors calculation) and classifications aiming at maximising comparability of the information produced. Details can be found in the metadata of the source datasets.
From 2021:Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 foresees the requirements relating to geographical coverage, detailed sample characteristics, including subsampling, in accordance with Annex III, common data gathering periods, common standards for editing and imputation, weighting, estimation and variance estimation.
Before 2021: According to the Regulation (EC) 1982/2003 on sampling and tracing rules, for all components of EU-SILC (whether survey or register based), the cross-sectional and longitudinal (initial sample) data were to be based on a nationally representative probability sample of the population residing in private households within the country, irrespective of language, nationality or legal residence status. The sampling frame and methods of sample selection ensured that every individual and household in the target population was assigned a known and non-zero probability of selection.
Regulation (EC) 1177/2003 defined the minimum effective sample sizes to be achieved, i.e. the actual sample sizes had to be larger to the extent that the design effect exceeds 1.0 and to compensate for all kinds of non-response. Furthermore, the sample size referred to the number of valid households which were households for which, and for all members of which, all or nearly all the required information had been obtained. The allocation of the effective sample size was done according to the size of the country and ensuring minimum precision criteria for the key indicator at national level (absolute precision of the at-risk-of-poverty rate of 1%).
