Por Pablo Arranz 
Alcoy continues to maintain the lowest levels of poverty risk in the province of Alicante and one of the lowest in the entire Valencian Community, as reflected in the data from the Valencian Institute of Statistics published yesterday, May 12, 2025.
The indicator that measures the proportion of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the European Union is AROPE, which stands for «At Risk of Poverty and/or Exclusion.» It is based on three components: the risk of economic poverty, severe material deprivation, and low household work intensity.
Our region has the lowest figure in the entire province of Alicante, and also better data than any region in the province of Valencia. Specifically, it stands at 20.9%, down from 21.5% the previous year. The highest AROPE rates by regions, according to small area models for 2024, are in Marina Alta (35.5%), Baix Segura (34.9%), and Marina Baixa (34.4%), while the lowest values are recorded in Alt Maestrat (20.4%), Els Ports (18.9%), and Plana Baixa (18.9%), with these three being the only regions with better figures than l’Alcoià.
Furthermore, it is worth noting the significant decrease in the proportion of people living in households with severe material deprivation (meaning people living in households lacking at least 4 items from a list of 6). Our region has decreased from 8.1% to 7%, being the second-best figure in the entire Valencian Community, along with Alt Maestrat (7.0%) and Alto Mijares (7.0%), only behind Els Ports (6.7%). Conversely, the worst figures are found in Marina Alta (12.4%), Baix Segura (11.9%), and Marina Baixa (11.2%).
However, this study also considers other indicators such as the poverty rate or severe material and social deprivation. In all classifications, our region has the lowest index in the province.
«We have the best data in the province, which shows that we are implementing effective social policies. However, we cannot be fully satisfied as long as there are families in vulnerable situations. We will continue working to further reduce the poverty rate,» emphasized the Councilor for Inclusive Policies, Aroa Mira.
The councilor emphasized that the data in the report reflects that «the social policies we are implementing are effective and yielding results.» In this regard, she pointed out that Alcoy has the best indices in the province, which, in her opinion, «is the result of constant work to strengthen social cohesion and guarantee basic rights for all citizens.»
Among the strategies implemented to combat poverty and improve the quality of life in Alcoy, Mira highlighted the increase of over 700,000 euros in emergency aid, which has expanded coverage and reached more people in need of support. «This increase does not mean that there are more people at risk of poverty, because the data shows the opposite. What we have done is reinforce assistance and ensure that no one is left behind,» she assured, despite the significant reduction in funding from the Alicante Provincial Council.
Mira concluded by ensuring that «the data from the report confirms that Alcoy continues to be a benchmark in social welfare within the province of Alicante and that the line of work undertaken by the City Council in terms of inclusive policies is yielding results.» However, she insisted that «our commitment is to continue strengthening measures to consolidate progress and ensure that Alcoy remains a model of social development and equity in the Valencian Community.»