Summer has arrived in Europe, but for many, the dream of a vacation seems like a distant fantasy. Millions of people are feeling the pinch, with the latest statistics revealing that a significant portion of the population simply can’t afford to take a week off for a holiday. In 2025, 27.5% of Europeans reported being unable to manage even a short getaway, highlighting a stark divide across the continent. The situation varies dramatically; in Switzerland and Norway, only 9% of folks can’t afford a holiday, while in Romania, that figure skyrockets to a staggering 61%.
But wait, it doesn’t stop there! More than half the population in Montenegro, Albania, and Turkey—58%, 53%, and 51% respectively—are also unable to escape for a break. North Macedonia and Greece are right on their heels, with 48% and 47% of people feeling the holiday crunch. Imagine that… more than one in three people in Bulgaria (39%), Hungary (39%), Serbia (36%), and Italy (36%) are in the same boat. Just think about it!
Now, if we flip the coin, we find countries like Portugal, Croatia, and Spain where the numbers are slightly more encouraging, though still concerning. In these nations, around 33% to 32% of residents are struggling to afford a vacation, which is still above the EU average. On the flip side, in the lavish realms of Luxembourg, Sweden, and the Netherlands, the percentage of folks unable to take a holiday is at 15% or below. Yes, you heard that right! In Germany, the number climbs to 21%, with France not far behind at 23%.
As we delve deeper, it’s clear that Southern and Southeastern Europe bear the brunt of this holiday deprivation crisis, and this includes EU candidate countries. In contrast, the Nordic countries and Western Europe boast the lowest levels of holiday deprivation. Central and Eastern Europe sit somewhere in between, but the disparities among nations are quite noticeable. Experts, including Professor C. Michael Hall from Canterbury University, emphasize that disposable income is the key player here. “If people don’t have the cash to spend, how can they afford a holiday?” he pointedly remarked.
Moreover, Professor Lynn Minnaert from Metropolitan State University of Denver pointed out that these differences between countries often reflect the overall strength of their economies. There have been dramatic shifts in holiday affordability; for instance, holiday accessibility fell by 33 points in Croatia and 32 in Serbia. Cyprus saw a decline of 26 points, with Ireland close behind at 22 points. Bulgaria and Turkey also reported significant drops of 21 points each. Other countries like Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Malta, and Hungary have seen declines of over 15 points, and that’s no small feat!
So, what’s the takeaway here? As summer heats up, the question remains: how will these economic disparities impact holiday plans for the everyday European? Will more people find ways to afford a vacation, or will the trend continue to shift toward fewer getaways? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that the struggle is real for many.
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber