(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 8 - More than 6% of the population of the European Union, around 31 million people, was severely materially deprived in 2018, but the share was much higher in some Eastern EU countries, such as Bulgaria and Romania, new data from Eurostat show.

Eurostat recalled that people are considered severely materially deprived if they cannot afford at least four of the following items: pay their bills on time; keep their home adequately warm; face unexpected expenses; eat meat or fish or the vegetarian equivalent regularly; take a one week holiday; a TV; a washing machine; a car; a telephone.

Across the EU, Bulgaria (20.9%), Romania (16.8%) and Greece (16.7 %) registered the highest shares of severe material deprivation, Eurostat informed, noting however that the largest decreases in the deprivation rate were registered in Bulgaria (from 30.0% in 2017 to 20.9% in 2018), in Greece (from 21.1% to 16.7%) and Hungary (from 14.5% to 10.1%).

The EU is experiencing a downward trend in the proportion of people severely materially deprived since the peak of 9.9 % recorded in 2012. (ANSA).