Poverty in EU as a chance and a barrier of EU socio-economic integration

The paper analyses the problem of poverty in EU during last ten years, i.e. after the last two enlargements of the European Union, when low developed states became EU members, and the financial crises in perspective of the EU process of integration. The author starts with very shortly outlining a theoretical and methodological framework for studying contemporary poverty and highlighting concepts of measuring poverty and processes of integration, with a focus on the UE approach. Subsequently, reflections on economic consequences of poverty, also in the prospective of EU social policy of combating poverty are presented. Finally, the comparative and dynamic analysis of the main macro socio-economic indicators, i.e. indicators of labour market, living condition, public finances, of EU and its member states are provided using Eurostat data. The analyses show that most recent EU enlargement and the financial crises have created new situations in socio-economic sense, and in terms of social policy revealing areas of European integration and disintegration. There is correlation between the level of poverty and the economic situation of EU.  The worse economic situation, the bigger level of poverty, and this results in a greater willingness to undertake joint various ventures to overcome poverty in Europe, which promotes European integration in socio-economic and policy areas.