The 2022 Annual Report of the Social Protection Committee (SPC) delivers on the Committee’s core task to monitor the social situation in the EU and the developments in social protection policies in the Member States.

Based on a set of key indicators and thematic work completed in the Committee, the report indicates that prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, generally positive developments in the social situation could be observed, reflecting the start of the recovery from the pandemic-induced crisis.

In 2022, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has created a new economic and geo-political environment. The resulting increased energy and commodity prices, supply disruptions and heightened uncertainty threaten Europe’s post-pandemic recovery and are contributing to a deterioration of the social and economic climate.

High energy prices, rising inflation, and the elevated general cost of living could push many households into a precarious economic situation, and risk reversing the progress made in recent years in reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality in many countries. In addition, the influx of refugees in Europe is placing a great burden on the social protection and social inclusion systems across all of Europe.

In this context, policy reforms based on an active inclusion approach and in line with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights continue to be necessary to confront some of the negative social trends indicated in the report.