27% of EU Citizens Cannot Afford a One-Week Holiday

A new report from Eurostat reveals that a significant portion of European Union citizens struggle to afford a holiday. The study, which covers 2024, found that 27% of the EU population aged 16 and over could not financially afford a one-week annual holiday away from home. This figure, however, marks an improvement from previous years, showing a decrease of 1.5 percentage points compared to 2023 and a substantial drop of 10.6 percentage points over the last decade since 2014.

The report also highlights a stark disparity in holiday affordability across member states. The countries with the highest proportion of citizens unable to afford a one-week holiday were Romania, with a staggering 58.6%, followed by Greece at 46.0%, and Bulgaria at 41.4%. In contrast, the lowest rates were recorded in Luxembourg (8.9%), Sweden (11.6%), and the Netherlands (13.0%), underscoring the significant differences in income inequality and living standards within the EU.

This data provides valuable insight into the economic realities facing many European households. While overall trends show a positive direction, the wide variations between countries indicate that the ability to take a holiday remains a luxury for a considerable number of people in certain parts of the Union. The findings shed light on the ongoing need to address economic disparities to ensure that a break from work and daily life is accessible to all.