Economic Inequality and Social Policy Responses in the European Union-A Comparative Analysis

• Dr. María González López

  Department of Economics University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain

  Author

Economic inequality remains a persistent challenge across the European Union despite decades of social welfare policies and economic integration. Rising income disparities, regional imbalances, and labor market transformations have intensified debates on social cohesion and inclusive growth. This paper examines recent trends in economic inequality within the European Union and evaluates the effectiveness of social policy responses implemented by member states. Using a comparative analytical approach supported by recent empirical studies and policy reports from 2023 to 2025, the paper explores income distribution, social protection systems, and labor market interventions. The findings suggest that while EU social policies have mitigated extreme poverty, structural inequalities persist due to uneven policy implementation and economic divergence among member states. The study highlights the need for coordinated and adaptive policy frameworks to address inequality in a rapidly changing socio-economic environment.

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