Nordic knowledge base about economic vulnerability
Despite well-developed welfare systems in the Nordic countries, more Nordic citizens live in economic vulnerability today than ten years ago. The growing number of children living in poverty is particularly serious, as is the fact that many pensioners, especially women, are living in economic hardship.
In order to more effectively tackle poverty, it is necessary to consider all stages of life, from childhood, through youth and adulthood and into retirement and old age. On behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers, NIKK has therefore produced the knowledge base Economic vulnerability in different stages of life.
Women are over-represented amongst those living in relative poverty and are generally at higher risk of poverty than men. With respect to finances, the knowledge base highlights a number of structural factors that favour men over women. There is also a need to look beyond age: how economic vulnerability affects the lives of different groups.
It is also important to highlight the role of violence in relation to economic vulnerability. While far from everyone living in economic vulnerability is exposed to violence, it is present and has led to poverty for many in the most economically vulnerable groups. The knowledge base addresses economic violence in different forms, the consequences for victims, as well as the need for support structures.
The knowledge base is suitable for a variety of contexts: for example it was used 2024, in connection with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ events during the UN’s international summit on women’s rights, the Commission on the Status of Women, CSW. The knowledge base is summarised in a number of key messages.
