The introduction to the report, which compares all EU member states, shows that the level of social justice has declined in most of the EU in recent years.

The index compares areas such as: poverty prevention, equitable education, labor market inclusion, social cohesion and non-discrimination, health and intergenerational justice.

The social justice gap has increased between the wealthy northern Europe countries and southern states, the report said. Social justice was found to be strongest in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the report said, social justice declined in Greece, Span, Italy, and Hungary in recent years.

The gap in social justice is also significant between generations. The report noted 28% of young people in the EU at risk of poverty, while poverty among older generation has been declining in recent years.

The increasing social division threatens social stability within the EU and there is a need for a concise European social strategy, the report notes.