European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan turns the 20 principles of the Pillar into concrete action.

It provides a roadmap for creating quality jobs, improving skills and lifelong learning and reducing poverty and social exclusion across Europe. The Action Plan sets three common goals for a stronger Social Europe for 2030.

Employment
At least 78.00%of people aged 20 to 64 should be in employment by 2030
Training
At least 60.00%of adults should participate in training every year by 2030
Reducing poverty
At least15.00millionfewer people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 2030

Where we stand

Employment
Around76.00%of people aged 20-64 were in employment in 2026
Training
Around40.00%of adults participated in learning activities in 2022
Reducing poverty
Around3.50millionfewer people at risk of poverty and social inclusion between 2019-2025

Delivering the Pillar is a shared responsibility of EU institutions, EU countries, social partners and civil society.

Turning principles into action

Equal opportunities and access to the labour market

People need the right skills to succeed in a changing labour market and society. The EU invests in education, training and lifelong learning to help people develop the skills they need, address skills shortages and support competitiveness. It also promotes equality by reducing barriers linked to gender, disability, age or background.

Key initiatives

Improving access to quality education and services for children, including those at risk of poverty or social exclusion through the European Child Guarantee
Promoting equal opportunities for persons with disabilities by improving accessibility in education, employment, housing and healthcare
Reducing gender gaps in pay, employment and pensions, and increasing women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles
Strengthening equal pay principles and supporting work–life balance and fair sharing of care responsibilities
Investing in skills development through initiatives such as the European Education Area, the Skills Agenda, the Digital Education Action Plan and vocational education and training (VET)

Fair working conditions

The EU supports job creation, fair labour mobility and fair working conditions, while helping people adapt to changes in the labour market driven by the green and digital transitions and demographic shifts.

Key initiatives

Helping people find jobs, change careers and develop new skills through employment and training support
Improving opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, traineeships and the Youth Guarantee
Supporting businesses, entrepreneurship and the social economy
Promoting fair wages and quality working conditions
Addressing new challenges linked to digitalisation
Strengthening health and safety at work
Supporting fair labour mobility and protecting the rights of mobile workers across the EU

Social protection and inclusion

Everyone should have access to support and services that enable them to live in dignity and participate fully in society.

Key initiatives

Joining forces to deliver a more social Europe

Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights is a shared political commitment and responsibility of the EU institutions, national, regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society, all having a role to play in line with their competences.
EU countries contribute through national targets, reforms and investments, supported by EU funding programmes such as the European Social Fund Plus and NextGenerationEU.
The engagement of national, regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society is essential to the implementation of the Pillar.
The European Semester helps coordinate economic, employment and social policies and monitor progress towards the common objectives.
Through its social policies and international cooperation, the EU helps promote fair jobs, social inclusion and decent work worldwide.