Requests for food aid are rising even in seemingly prosperous parts of Europe where unemployment is low. EuroparlTV investigates in the economic hub of Antwerp.

Reporter: Poverty amid prosperity

17% of Europe's population  lives below the poverty line.

As recession threatens the EU, charities  fear they will suffer budget cuts.

EuroparlTV visited a centre that helps  the most deprived in Antwerp, Belgium,

Every week for the last six months  Karien has done the same thing.

The 47-year-old from Antwerp goes to  an aid centre for the poor to collect food.

Two years ago she never imagined  she'd be in this position,

but losing her job and health problems  have forced her into it.

Not being able to provide for oneself  is nothing to be proud of.

I can't make ends meet  and that's not pleasant.

It's very difficult, but I'm happy  that something like this exists for me.

With an income of 950 euros per month  and a rent of 450 euros,

Every cent counts. The most basic  expenses are hard to meet.

The poverty spiral has pushed her  to the margins of society.

On the 21st I have to go back to hospital,  then again on the 29th.

That's this month. Last month  I also had to go several times.

I do have insurance but each cent  I have to contribute is a cent too much.

Especially as a single woman.  -There is no money to...

There isn't. My teeth need work  but I can't possibly afford a dentist.

I can't find work  with my teeth in this state.

Despite a low unemployment rate  in Flanders, around 6.5%,

10.5% of the region's inhabitants  live below the poverty line.

Like Karien, many of them come to  this charity every week for provisions.

Most of the food distributed comes from  the European food aid programme.

In recent years, the requests for help  have risen continuously,

to the point where the charity has had to  limit distribution to 700 people per week.

About 20%  have the Belgian nationality.

That's now increasing following  the recent fast-track naturalisation law.

The rest are mostly  from other European countries.

In Belgium, the poverty line is set  at 1,000 euros per month for one person

and 2,000 euros for a family  with two children.

Some population groups are more  vulnerable than others.

The main feature of poverty  is that it is becoming deeper.

so people in poverty  are becoming poorer than before.

Secondly, there's a shift  in the composition of the poor.

that is seriously threatened  by poverty is single mothers.

One defence against insecurity is  the labour market, but it's breaking down.

A new category of poor people  is emerging: that of workers.

In Belgium one in five people  living below the poverty line

Within the EU, over 79 million people  are living below the poverty line.