Poverty and social exclusion are the leading issues at the international level. Today, there is no country that doesn't face with this global problem and many other that arise from it. Undeveloped countries are more exposed to it than developed countries. That indicates to a significant connection with the national economic, social and national situation. Today, about one-fifth of the world's population is exposed to poverty. Actually predictions point to the continuation of this trend in the future, so an increasing number of states and international organizations are involved in the proces against this problem. The European Union has a leading international role in it and has defined it as one of the main goals of the Europe 2020. In Croatia the poverty rate is around 20%. It oscillates between groups of residents and counties. The most favored are young people, pensioners, people with disabilities and Roms. Among the counties, this problem is more serious in the continental and less developed counties. The main document in the Croatia, which is focused on this problem, is the Strategy for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2014-2020 that is complementary with the one of the European Union. It is based on eight strategic issues that derive from various national policies. The most important is improvement and development of the education.