Eurostat
Eurostat
2024
📊 Context and Publisher The publication titled "Key Figures on European Living Conditions - 2024 Edition" was produced by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, and released in October 2024. This report aims to provide essential statistical indicators regarding living conditions across the EU and its member states, as well as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. Given the ongoing discussions about sustainable housing, the report's findings are particularly relevant for understanding the socioeconomic landscape in Europe. 💵 Income and Economic Strain In 2023, the median annual disposable income in the EU was reported at 19,955 PPS (purchasing power standards) per inhabitant. Notably, there were significant disparities in income levels between different countries; Western and Nordic EU nations exhibited the highest income levels, whereas southern, eastern, and Baltic countries faced considerably lower incomes. Economic strain remains a pressing issue, as evidenced by the fact that 45.4% of households in the EU experienced difficulties making ends meet within the same year. 🏠 Housing Affordability A critical aspect of living conditions is housing affordability. In 2023, it was found that 10.6% of the EU population could not afford to keep their homes adequately warm, an increase from 9.3% in 2022. This statistic highlights the challenges many residents face in maintaining comfortable living conditions, which is essential for public health and well-being. 🚨 Poverty and Social Exclusion The report indicates that 21.4% of the EU’s population, equivalent to approximately 94.6 million people, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023, marking a slight improvement from the previous year. Furthermore, the severe material and social deprivation rate stood at 6.8%, showing a marginal increase from 6.7% in 2022, with women experiencing higher rates of deprivation compared to men. 😐 Life Satisfaction and Disparities Life satisfaction ratings averaged at 7.3 out of 10, reflecting no change from 2018. The report also reveals significant disparities across various indicators, including urban-rural divides and differences between citizens and non-citizens. Addressing these disparities is crucial for promoting sustainable housing solutions that cater to the diverse needs of the European population. 📈 Conclusion This publication serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, and citizens interested in understanding living standards and social conditions in Europe. It supports the ongoing monitoring of EU policies related to social rights and poverty reduction, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainable housing across the continent.
This publication titled "Key Figures on European Living Conditions - 2024 Edition" was produced by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, and published in 2024. It presents a selection of key statistical indicators on living conditions in the European Union (EU), EU member states, and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
Key findings include:
- In 2023, the median annual disposable income in the EU was 19,955 PPS (purchasing power standards) per inhabitant, with large variations between countries. Western and Nordic EU countries reported the highest levels, while southern, eastern and Baltic countries had the lowest.
- 21.4% of the EU population (94.6 million people) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023, a slight decrease from 2022.
- The severe material and social deprivation rate in the EU was 6.8% in 2023, marginally up from 6.7% in 2022. This rate was higher for women (7.2%) than for men (6.5%).
- 45.4% of households in the EU had at least some difficulty making ends meet in 2023.
- In 2023, 10.6% of people in the EU couldn't afford to keep their home adequately warm, up from 9.3% in 2022.
- The average life satisfaction rating in the EU was 7.3 out of 10 in 2023, unchanged from 2018.
- There were large disparities in many indicators between EU countries, between urban and rural areas, and between citizens and non-citizens.
The publication provides data on income distribution, poverty risk, material deprivation, economic strain, household composition, work intensity, childcare, health, disability, and life satisfaction. It aims to offer a comprehensive overview of living conditions in Europe through visualizations and concise text explanations.
The data presented is generally for 2022 or 2023, reflecting recent socioeconomic conditions including high inflation and impacts from the war in Ukraine. The publication draws primarily from EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) surveys.
This report serves as a key resource for policymakers, researchers, and citizens to understand and analyze living standards and social conditions across Europe. It supports monitoring of EU policies and targets related to social rights and poverty reduction.