The Autonomous Province of Bolzano ranks as the European region with the lowest risk of poverty, according to data released by Eurostat. In 2024, only 6.6% of the South Tyrolean population is at risk. The rankings also include Bratislavskykraj in Slovakia (8.6%) and Jihozapad in Czechia (8.8%). In sum, twenty-six European regions had risk rates below 12.5%, indicating stability, particularly in Central and Northern Europe. On the other end of the range are French Guiana, with a rate of 59.5%, and two Italian regions: Calabria (48.8%) and Campania (43.5%), followed by Melilla in Spain (44.5%). Southern Italy thus reinforces its status as one of Europe's most vulnerable areas, with rates significantly higher than the EU average of 21%. Sicily (40.9%) and Puglia (37.7%) also exceed the critical threshold of 33%. "We have made progress in recent years, but we can always improve, as even the most impressive statistics are of little assistance to those who are already experiencing hardship", stated Arno Kompatscher, President of South Tyrol/Südtirol. "For this reason", he explained, "we've introduced a new support measure for people with very low pensions, which will start at the end of the year".