A new Eurostat report reveals that 5.8% of young people aged 15–29 in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation in 2024, highlighting persistent challenges of youth poverty and exclusion across one of the world’s wealthiest regions. These findings are particularly relevant for Thai society, where the realities of economic hardship among youth mirror disturbing global trends and raise urgent questions about social safety nets and opportunities for the next generation.
Severe material and social deprivation refers to lacking both basic necessities such as adequate housing, nutritious food, heating, and essential appliances, as well as social resources, like the ability to meet with friends or participate in social activities. This statistical threshold is not a measure of absolute poverty but of lacking what the majority in a society takes for granted—a nuanced concept applicable across both the EU and Thailand, as explained by the Eurostat methodology and corroborated by contemporary research on deprivation indices (ec.europa.eu, Wikipedia).
In the EU, 2024 data show significant country-level inequalities: Bulgaria (17.2%), Romania (14.7%), and Greece (14.4%) have the highest rates of severe deprivation among their youth, while Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, and several other nations report rates below 3%. This disparity underscores how vulnerable young people remain to broader economic shocks, policy failures, and gaps in family or community support (ec.europa.eu).
Parallel to material hardship, the broader “at risk of poverty or social exclusion” (AROPE) rate for the same youth cohort in the EU hit 24.1% in 2024—over 3 percentage points higher than the general population (21.0%). This metric, combining income poverty, severe deprivation, and very low work intensity, signals that almost one in four young Europeans lack robust pathways to economic and social stability. Researchers have found youth who experience cumulative childhood adversity are significantly more likely to be Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET)—a risk factor linked to life-long economic and health disadvantages (PubMed).
Leading European social policy experts, such as those from Eurostat, emphasize the urgency: “Young people are more at risk of poverty or social exclusion than the total population, reflecting both structural labor-market challenges and the aftermath of health and economic crises. Addressing these gaps requires targeted interventions, inclusive policy, and secure support systems” (ec.europa.eu).
Transposing these European findings into the Thai context demands careful analysis. A recent UNICEF study found around one-third of Thailand’s poorest children are excluded from the national Child Support Grant (UNICEF Thailand). This signals a potential gap in coverage for the most vulnerable, with the impacts often extending well into youth and adulthood. Another Thai-language study from Chulalongkorn University links socio-economic background directly to educational and labor-market outcomes—the same factors driving long-term exclusion as observed in Europe (Chula Thesis). Further, a survey highlighted by The Nation indicates that nearly 70% of out-of-school or unemployed youth in Thailand lack any form of social protection (Nation Thailand).
The long-term toll of material and social deprivation is now better understood, thanks to advances in longitudinal research. Danish cohort studies from 2025 find that youth exposed to multiple adversities in childhood—poverty, family instability, or inadequate social support—are far more likely to struggle with mental health (such as major depressive disorder), remain disconnected from society, and rely heavily on public systems in adulthood (PubMed). Importantly, the negative effects extend beyond just the economic: social detachment, loneliness, and stigma compound the challenges faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Thailand’s own policies targeting child and youth poverty have made strides, from expanding free basic education and access to health care, to interventions targeting NEET youth. Yet experts from Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research caution that, “While national rates of extreme poverty may be low by World Bank standards, the depth, persistence, and multidimensional character of deprivation among Thai youth, especially in rural and migrant populations, demand more sophisticated policy tools and outreach” (UNICEF Thailand).
Material and social deprivation indexes also reveal how economic hardship interacts with cultural expectations and social participation. In Thailand, where communal gatherings, merit-making, and extended family ties are core to social well-being, youth unable to afford travel, technology for learning, or even school uniforms risk becoming isolated—not just financially disadvantaged but excluded from the rhythms of Thai cultural life. Comparable challenges are registered in EU nations, where deprived youth are less likely to go on holiday, host visitors, attend cultural events, or even keep homes adequately heated—deprivations that accumulate and contribute to social exclusion.
Understanding and addressing deprivation among youth is not only a matter of justice—it is an investment in national health, social cohesion, and workforce vitality. Global evidence indicates that the costs of inaction are steep: increased crime, higher health spending, prolonged unemployment, and intergenerational poverty all stem partly from early-life social and economic exclusion.
Looking forward, both the EU and Thailand face similar imperatives. Interventions proven effective abroad—targeted cash transfers, free school meals, affordable housing, and access to mental health care—require local adaptation and persistent monitoring. Data-driven policies, regular consultation with affected young people, and investment in early intervention are seen by international organizations as key pillars of any national strategy (Eurostat).
For Thai readers, this story is a clarion call: as the EU shines a spotlight on the hidden deprivation of its youth, Thailand must also reckon with patterns of exclusion within its own borders. The shared lessons are clear: social safety nets must reach the children and youth who need assistance most; education and job pathways must remain open and adaptive; and community-based organizations must play a role in keeping all young Thais included in the nation’s progress. Policymakers, educators, and families alike are urged to seek out and support those left on the margins—whether in Bangkok, rural provinces, or among vulnerable migrant communities.
For individuals and families concerned about youth exclusion, practical recommendations include: staying informed about existing grants and social programs; supporting NGOs and local community groups working with marginalized youth; encouraging open discussions about mental health and social participation with the young people in their lives; and advocating for stronger, more transparent public policy on childhood and youth deprivation.
For further reading and resources, reference the following: