Holiday Poverty Rising Across Europe
In 2023, around about 42 million individuals in the European Union reported they could not afford a one-week holiday away from home. This represents a steady increase from 40.5 million in 2022.
The findings are the result of an increasingly unequal economy, in which workers are forced to give up their holidays due to rising costs for accommodation, transport and food, combined with declining purchasing power and speculation.
Taking a break with family or friends is important for our physical and mental health, and it is a basic part of the European social contract.
European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Euronews
23% of Portuguese Workers Could Not Afford a One-Week Holiday
Portugal is one of the countries where holiday poverty is most severe. Around 23% of Portuguese workers - over more than 1.5 million people - could not afford a one-week holiday in 2023. This puts the country alongside Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria in the group with the highest rates of holiday poverty in the EU.
Southern European countries like Portugal face particular pressure from rising costs and slower wage growth, making even short breaks difficult for many workers.
Workers Who Couldn’t Afford One Week Holiday Away From Home in 2023
Comparisons With Other EU Countries
While Portugal struggles, Nordic countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Denmark report much lower levels of holiday poverty, between 5% and 7%. Among the EU’s largest economies, Spain (18%) and Italy (17%) exceed the EU average of 15%, whereas France (12%) and Germany (11%) remain slightly below.
These figures show a clear divide in holiday affordability across the EU, influenced by income levels, the cost of living, and the strength of national economies.
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