The percentage of people living in poverty in Europe increased from 1987 to 1995.
Romania experienced the greatest increase in poverty percentage.
The collapse of communism was a contributing factor to the observed trends.
The final answer is: increased, Romania, collapse of communism.
Explanation
Analyzing the Data First, let's analyze the data provided in the table. We have the percentage of the population living in poverty for several European countries during two time periods: 1987-1988 and 1993-1995. We need to determine the overall trend in poverty, identify the country with the greatest increase in poverty, and suggest a contributing factor to these trends.
Calculating Changes in Poverty Percentage To find the overall trend, we need to calculate the change in the percentage of people living in poverty for each country. The changes are as follows:
Romania: 48 − 6 = 42
Hungary: 7 − 1 = 6
Poland: 10 − 6 = 4
Russia: 39 − 2 = 37
Ukraine: 26 − 2 = 24
Observing these changes, we can see that the percentage of people living in poverty increased in all the listed countries. Therefore, the overall trend is an increase in poverty.
Identifying the Country with the Greatest Increase Next, we identify the country with the greatest jump in the percentage of the population living in poverty. Comparing the calculated changes, we find that Romania has the largest increase with a change of 42%.
Identifying a Contributing Factor Finally, we need to consider a contributing factor to these trends. The period from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s was a time of significant political and economic change in Eastern Europe, including the collapse of communism and the transition to market economies. This transition often led to economic instability, increased unemployment, and reduced social safety nets, which likely contributed to the rise in poverty.
Final Answer Therefore, the completed statements are:
According to the chart, the percentage of people living in poverty in Europe increased from 1987 to 1995. The country with the greatest jump in percentage of population living in poverty was Romania. According to what you have learned in the lesson, the collapse of communism was a contributing factor to the trends shown on the chart.
Examples
Understanding poverty trends is crucial for policymakers. For instance, if a city notices a sharp increase in poverty due to factory closures, they can implement targeted programs like job retraining and unemployment benefits. By analyzing such trends, governments and organizations can allocate resources effectively to support vulnerable populations and mitigate the negative impacts of economic changes, ensuring a more equitable society.