Holiday poverty is an emerging issue in Europe, affecting approximately 40 million workers who cannot afford a week’s vacation away from home. This phenomenon highlights a significant socioeconomic challenge within the European Union.
Europe’s Holiday Poverty
As millions of people prepare to go on holiday in August, the concept of holiday poverty highlights the socioeconomic divide. This has affected approximately 40 million workers who cannot afford a week’s vacation, either domestically or abroad.
A new study released by The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) indicates that two million more European Union citizens could not afford to take a vacation in 2022 than in the previous year. While millions of people are packing their bags for August vacations, many cannot afford to take even a week-long trip, domestically or overseas. According to the survey, France saw the largest increase in holiday poverty, with nearly five million individuals unable to afford a vacation despite the country still being below the EU average.
The largest percentage increase was observed in Ireland, where the proportion of the working population unable to afford vacations increased by 4% between 2021 and 2022, to 14.8%. There are 13 countries where the situation is worse than the bloc’s 14.6% average, with Romania at the tail end at 36%.
Half of the personal tourism trips taken by EU citizens in 2022 were short, domestic trips, with 62% of them being made, according to Eurostat. According to the report, Germans spend the most on foreign travel, spending €85.2 billion, followed by French travellers who spend €39.2 billion.
Also Read: Spain Tops The List As Best Country For Remote Workers, Europe Dominates Digital Nomad Scene: Study
Why Is It Difficult To Afford Holidays?
Approximately 50% of European workers believe that stress is a widespread workplace issue and one of the most difficult problems in occupational safety and health, according to the European Commission. The European Union uses the ability to pay for an annual vacation of one week away from home as a proxy for material and social suffering.
On the other hand, the rising cost of living, including housing, food, and transportation, has made it increasingly difficult for workers to save for holidays. Inflation has eroded the purchasing power of many households, further limiting their ability to afford vacations. Low-wage workers often struggle to cover basic expenses, leaving little room for discretionary spending on vacations.
Holiday poverty is a complex issue affecting millions of workers across the European Union, highlighting the broader challenges of economic inequality amongst countries that are thought to be the most powerful and richest in the world.
Cover image credits: Canva