EU Audit Reveals Disparities in Quality of City Life

Statistical information was gathered on variables across nine domains, many of which have implications for health inequalities (demographics, social matters, the economy, the environment, training and education among others).

Analysis of the figures for employment show "striking disparities" between different European cities. Unemployment rates range from 30.8% in some Polish cities and 28.3% in Belgian ones, to just 0.8% in Luxembourg. Interestingly, unemployment rates also varied sharply between different districts of a single city. The Commission cited Athens, Hamburg and Bratislava as examples. One of the aims of the EU Cohesion Policy is to reduce the phenomenon of "ghettoisation" in European cities, which leads to massive inequalities between residents of a city.

Another indicator that revealed vast differences within the European Union was the changing demographics in urban areas. Turkey proved to be the country with the fastest population growth rate in cities, whilst many urban areas of central and eastern Europe are experiencing population decline.

The audit forms part of the renewed Lisbon Strategy and the Community Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion for 2007-2013. According to the Commission, improving the quality of life in urban areas is crucial for retaining a skilled workforce, businesses, students and residents. Improving quality of life for residents of European cities is also crucial for reducing health inequalities throughout the region, not only between different cities, but also within cities.

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EurActiv Article: EU Audit Shows Big Disparities in Quality of City Life.