EU annual report 2024
The state of
regions and cities
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Highlights of the 2024 EU annual report
The 2024 EU annual report on the state of regions and cities brings together the solutions and vision that regions and cities have come up with to address challenges, such as the green and digital transitions, rising inequalities and preparing for the future enlargement, while always maintaining the social fabric strong.
Let’s make Europe closer, stronger, cohesive and ambitious with regions and cities!
Vasco Alves Cordeiro
President of the European Committee of the Regions
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CLOSER
TO PEOPLE
Strengthening
democracy in Europe
1.2 million locally elected politicians
European democracy in regions and cities
Citizens’ trust in regional and local authorities has increased substantially over the last 10 years; it reached its highest point in 2024, at 60%, the highest among all levels of governments. Regions and cities call for a stronger role for the European Committee of the Regions.
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STRONGER
Sustainable,
competitive and
resilient
The cost of inaction towards climate change is estimated to reach 10-12% of GDP by the end of the century
Green Deal
Regions and cities are responsible for implementing 70% of climate mitigation and 90% of climate adaptation policies. For every 10 euros spent on environmental policies, 8 are spent locally. Regions and cities call for targeted financial support to implement the European Green Deal.
Heavy industries account for 45% of global GHG emissions
Industrial transition
The industrial transformation of Europe is affecting regions differently. The EU’s competitiveness needs a functioning single market and relies on a strong cohesion policy. Regions and cities call for a new industrial strategy tailored to territorial realities.
At the level of the EU, expenditure on general public services decreased from 9.5 % of GDP in 1995 to 6.0 % of GDP in 2022
Social protection and social services
100 million people are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. 47% of young Europeans (18-34) must live at their parents’. Local and regional authorities provide 50% of expenditures on infrastructures, housing, health, education and social services. Regions and cities call for quality public services.
70% of population experiencing seasonal water stress
Climate resilience and health
European regions and cities experience daily the consequences of the climate crisis, with extreme heat, floods and droughts. It has a massive impact on citizens’ health. Regions and cities call for addressing crisis resilience and social and territorial vulnerabilities.
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COHESIVE
No place and
no people
left behind
Regions and cities coordinate 50% of total public investment
Cohesion and just transition
The green and digital transitions have asymmetric territorial impacts that will need to be addressed with place-based solutions. Cohesion policy has shown its capacity to improve quality of life. Regions and cities call for a stronger and renewed cohesion policy for all regions.
180 regions and cities join the Integration of Migrants Initiative
Demographic challenges
Demographic change is evident in Europe, although its causes and effects manifest themselves in many ways. It is crucial to invest in regions and cities to ensure the ‘freedom to stay’. Regions and cities call for investments supporting the demographic transition in all territories.
800 farms disappearing every day in Europe
Rural development and agriculture
One in four Europeans live in rural areas, representing 75% of the EU’s territory. It is central for our agriculture and our economy. It represents untapped potential for renewable energies. Regions and cities call for strategies supporting rural development for high-quality of life environments.
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AMBITIOUS
Investing in
our future
70% of the acquis is dealt with by the local and regional authorities
Enlargment
Regions and cities are responsible for implementing 70% of the EU policies. The renewed impetus for enlargement, sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, represents a historic milestone for the EU. Regions and cities call for a meaningful involvement in the enlargement process.
From 2004 to 2022, EU regions and cities made up to 58% of total government public investment
Investment and European Union budget
Regions and cities make more than half of total government public investments. The transformation of our societies calls for massive investments. Regions and cities call for an ambitious and place-based EU budget that supports local investments, with a strong cohesion policy at its heart.