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Avatar photoMichael Dauderstädt

Michael Dauderstädt is a freelance consultant and writer. Until 2013, he was director of the division for economic and social policy of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

The Relative Rise of Europe’s Poor

Michael Dauderstädt

Europe's poorer nations and citizens are climbing the income ladder — and the data show the Union is more cohesive than its critics claim.

In difficult times, social cohesion has improved

Michael Dauderstädt

Inequality has been falling across Europe. But a backlash driven by fiscal ‘discipline’ and ‘competitiveness’ could reverse that.

Strengthening social cohesion amid the polycrisis

Michael Dauderstädt

Unconventional policies buttressed a decline in inequality and poverty in the EU. Renewed austerity might endanger it.

Europe-wide inequality during the pandemic

Michael Dauderstädt

The pandemic increased inequality between member states but Europe-wide inequality has continued to decline, if more slowly.

Global inequality and the pandemic: exaggerated hopes and fears?

Michael Dauderstädt

The pandemic has barely increased global income inequality—but it has made other inequalities worse.

Covid-19 and Europe-wide inequality

Michael Dauderstädt

Between 2017 and 2019, income disparities in Europe decreased. The pandemic stopped that decline.

EU-wide inequality is back to pre-crisis levels

Michael Dauderstädt

After almost a decade, EU-wide inequality finally regained its previous low of 2009 due to relatively strong growth in the poorer member states between the Baltic and the Balkans.

Inequality in Europe—wider than it looks

Michael Dauderstädt

Most discussion of inequality in Europe is confined to individual member states. Aggregating incomes across the EU, however, presents a sobering picture.

Addressing poverty and inequality in Europe

Michael Dauderstädt

Official EU statistics mask the alarming extent of poverty and inequality in Europe. Despite slight recent easing, its dangerous scale threatens Europe’s social and political cohesion.

Europe-Wide Inequality

Michael Dauderstädt

Inequality within member states has become a much debated and researched issue over the last decade (see OECD here and here). Reducing the inequality between

Reducing European Inequality: Cohesion Through Convergence

Michael Dauderstädt

When founded in 1957, the then European Economic Community comprised six relative prosperous countries, albeit including a very poor region, the Italian Mezzogiorno. With the

Inequality in Europe: complex and multidimensional

Michael Dauderstädt

Talking about inequality in Europe brings one face-to-face with a complex pattern of possible issues and dimensions, which can be measured in different ways. As

Reducing Inequality: Social Europe And Cohesion

Michael Dauderstädt

‘Social Europe’ implies for most experts the development of national welfare states and their protection against the forces of globalization and international competition as most

Hans Böckler Stiftung Advertisement

WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2026

Minimum wage policy across Europe has shifted significantly, with many EU countries raising wages above average and anchoring them to adequate living standards. This trend is consolidating as countries increasingly adopt the reference values recommended in the European Minimum Wage Directive — recently upheld by the European Court of Justice.

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European Commission DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion advertisement

Social Europe

The European Employment and Social Rights Forum was back in Brussels and online on 3-4 March 2026

This year’s edition addressed the EU’s response to the challenges many people face today: the rising cost of living, job insecurity, and changes in the labour market. Opinion leaders, policymakers, businesses, academics and civil society are invited to explore bold ideas to support Europe’s greatest strength: its people.

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S&D Group in the European Parliament advertisement

Health

🇪🇺 Building a Resilient, Equitable EU Health Union: The S&D Blueprint


From securing pharmaceutical autonomy and guaranteeing universal access to care (the European Health Guarantee) to combatting non-communicable diseases and closing the Gender Health Gap. Read the S&D Group in the European Parliament Position Paper demanding that health becomes a priority across all EU policies.

READ THE POSITION PAPER

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HESA Magazine Cover

Growth and employment monitor

Based on recent research – notably from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), this Special Brief outlines key evidence on the economic, employment and social situation in the EU and actions needed to reinforce the EU by ensuring “Investment for a vibrant European economy and quality jobs”

READ HERE

Eurofound advertisement

Mental Health
Is financial resilience and trust in Europe faltering?

In this episode of Eurofound Talks, host Mary McCaughey and senior researcher Eszter Sandor unpack the results of the 2025 Living and Working in the EU e-survey. While headline inflation has stabilised at 2.1%, the data reveals a continent gripped by chronic precariousness, with 57% of respondents now at risk of depression. Mary and Eszter explore how this economic insecurity is impacting institutional trust and democratic engagement.
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Foundation for European Progressive Studies Advertisement

The Great Unravelling

Read the book "The Great Unravelling"

The book "The Great Unravelling", edited by Patrick Diamond and Ania Skrzypek, delves into the impact of growing economic interdependence, free trade and technological change, which has led to new forms of political polarisation that seek to capitalise on and exploit the resentments fuelled by the rise of globalisation.
Featuring a stellar line-up of policymakers, experts and academics, the book assesses whether a viable compromise between globalisation and social progress remains achievable.

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